Leaside Jr. Wildcats voice sorrow at death Avery Andrew, 18

by  • 

Barrie Sharks Captain Avery Andrew

Leaside Jr. Wildcats have tweeted a message of sympathy Wednesday expressing sorrow at the death of Avery Andrew, a star defense player and Captain of the Barrie Jr. Sharks. Both Leaside and Barrie play in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League. OPP have identified Avery as a victim in a two-vehicle collision on Simcoe County Rd 15 near 5th Sideroad Monday. The crash took place around 9:30 p.m. January 1 when Avery was a passenger in a northbound vehicle. For reasons unknown it  crossed the centre line and struck a southbound vehicle. Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver, an 18-year-old New Tecumseth male, received non-life threatening injuries.The driver of the other vehicle, a 23-year-old Adjala-Tosorontio man, wasn’t seriously injured. The road conditions are believed to have contributed to the collision. Alcohol and distracted driving have been ruled out as possible causes.

SHARKS STATEMENT

A statement on the Barrie Sharks website called the 18-year-old Andrew “a wonderful friend and teammate.” It goes on: “The Barrie Sharks are saddened to share news of the tragic and sudden passing of Avery Andrew, Captain of our 2017-18 Barrie Jr. Sharks. Avery began playing hockey at the Novice level with the Clearview Girls Hockey Association, and has been a member of the BWHA since 2012. A talented and hardworking player, Avery was a member of our Bantam AA and Midget AA teams before playing with our Intermediate AA Barrie Jr. Sharks for the past two seasons. Avery was named team captain this past September, a responsibility that fit perfectly with her leadership on the ice and in the dressing room. Avery will be remembered by fellow players as not only a talented and determined player, but as a teammate who lifted the spirits of every room she entered. On behalf of all of our Barrie Sharks players and families, we would like to share our deepest sympathies and condolences. Our thoughts are with the Andrew family through this difficult time.”