THE CANADIAN PRESS
FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL, N.B. — In nearly 15 years as a hockey coach, Carole Anne Burnham had never seen a player like Jessica Pickard.
"She would be the only player I’ve ever seen shoot right and left and be strong on both sides," Burnham said while struggling to hold back tears Monday.
Pickard, 15, played defence for the Carleton Mustangs midget girls hockey team. During a game Friday night against a bantam boys team, she returned to the bench during the last minute of play and complained about shortness of breath.
Pickard died later that night in hospital.
An autopsy was performed Saturday but the results weren’t released.
Pickard’s funeral will be held Tuesday in Johnville, about 20 minutes from Florenceville-Bristol.
The Mustangs are scheduled to play in a tournament in Sussex, N.B., this weekend.
"Jessica wouldn’t want us not to play," Burnham said. "Her mom and dad want us to keep going."
The Mustangs will pay tribute be wearing Pickard’s number 10 on their jerseys and special crests on their tracksuits.
"We’ll definitely carry her with us wherever we go," Burnham said. "She was a wonderful person. Any coach would find her a pleasure to have on a team."
(New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal)