Saginaw Spirit remember Terry Trafford in first home game since he was found dead

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A video tribute to the late Saginaw Spirit player Terry Trafford plays before an Ontario Hockey League game between the Spirit and the London Knights, Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Saginaw, Mich. Trafford\'s body was found in his truck in a store parking lot earlier in the week. He had been missing for eight days. (AP Photo/The Saginaw News, Tom Goessman) LOCAL TV OUT LOCAL INTERNET OUT

SAGINAW, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit remembered late player Terry Trafford on Saturday night in their first home game since he was found dead in a parked car.

An autopsy determined the 20-year-old Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation. The Toronto native’s body was found March 12. He disappeared eight days earlier after receiving discipline from the club.

The Spirit lost the Ontario Hockey League game 6-2 to the London Knights at The Dow Event Center.

London players lined up on their blue line and tapped their sticks on the ice as the Spirit players skated out on the ice. Spirit players aligned on the other blue line and the crowd stood as the team honoured Trafford with a moment of silence and a video montage on the scoreboard above the ice.

Saginaw players wore “TT16” stickers on their helmet and will honour their former teammate with black patches for the playoffs. Trafford played four seasons with Saginaw, scoring 29 goals in 221 games.

Trafford’s funeral is set for Tuesday in Toronto.

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