It is with extreme sadness that the Ontario Junior Hockey League and Toronto Jr. Canadiens lost former coach Tyler Cragg recently with his passing on December 7 at age 44.

The longtime president and coach in the Toronto Jr. Canadiens 'AAA' GTHL organization, also spent a couple of seasons as the bench boss for the OJHL's Jr. Canadiens,  Most notably, he coached the Jr. Canadiens in what is believed to be the longest game in OJHL and OHA history on February 11, 2007, when Toronto downed the Pickering Panthers after 154 minutes, 32 seconds of play in game two of their first round playoff match-up.

Cragg was an extremely popular coach and mentor to numerous young men during his tenure, sending numerous players on to the professional ranks, including the NHL.

"Tyler was an exceptional person who touched many people both on and off ice," said Toronto Jr. Canadiens Governor Peter Friedmann.  "His intellectual, wisdom, humor and all around personality will be missed greatly.  His contribution to the Junior Canadiens organization, his coaching of some of best GTHL teams and his contribution to the Canadian Ice Academy will be sadly missed.  Tyler helped develop many great hockey players who played in the GTHL and currently are some of the top NHL players. Also while coaching the Junior A Canadiens in OJHL, many players followed the NCAA route and then professional career."

The Junior Canadiens players for the rest of the season will be wearing a patch with TC initials.  Also the Junior Canadiens Cup, hockey tournament will be also recognized as Tyler Cragg Memorial Tournament and the organization will be establishing a scholarship fund in Tyler’s name to promote further the development of young hockey players.  The sport Tyler loved dearly and was very passionate about.

He will be sorely missed by all that crossed his path and on behalf of all our member clubs, the OJHL sends out its deepest condolences to the family of friends of Tyler.

A wake will be held at 50 Defiance Lane, Orleans, MA from 4-8pm on Friday, December 11th and Tyler's funeral will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts on Saturday, December 12th at 11am.

For those wishing to pass along condolences, stories & memories a facebook page 'Celebrating the Life of Tyler Cragg' has been set-up - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499096037059106/.

To read Tyler's obituray in the Toronto Star, please CLICK HERE.