Great Britain national hockey player killed in crash on Vancouver Island

A single-vehicle crash on Vancouver Island has claimed the life of a star player on Great Britain's national hockey team. The Shawnigan Lake RCMP are investigating the collision that killed 33-year-old Mike Hammond of Langford early Wednesday morning.

A single-vehicle crash on Vancouver Island has claimed the life of a star player on Great Britain's national hockey team.

The Shawnigan Lake RCMP are investigating the collision that killed 33-year-old Mike Hammond of Langford early Wednesday morning.

Mounties were called to the scene of the crash near Baden Powell Road around 5:30 a.m.

A statement from the detachment says evidence collected at the scene indicates a black Porsche Boxster veered off the road and struck a tree, killing the driver.

Ice Hockey UK, the national governing body for the sport in the United Kingdom, issued a statement Thursday identifying Hammond as the driver.

"Great Britain ice hockey are devastated to announce that forward Mike Hammond has passed away," the statement said. "Mike was a cherished GB teammate, loved by so many, and very much part of the Great Britain family."

Hammond made his debut with the national team in 2018, helping clinch the gold medal in Division 1 - Group A at the International Ice Hockey Federation world championships, the statement said.