Great Britain national team player Mike Hammond dies in car crash

One of Great Britain’s best forwards has passed away as a result of a car crash this week. Hammond was 33.

According to reports, Hammond was involved in a single-car accident in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia on Wednesday.

“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts to Mike’s family and friends at this very difficult time,” Hammond’s last team, the Nottingham Panthers, said in a statement. “Our thoughts too are with all his former team-mates and everyone at the club is thinking of Hammy and his family right now.

“Rest in peace Mike – you will never be forgotten.”

Born in Brighton, Great Britain in 1990, Hammond played his junior career in Western Canada, with stints in the BCHL, WHL, VIJHL and the Canadian college ranks. He’d make his pro debut with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones in 2015-16 before moving back to Britain in 2016-17. Hammond would go on to have a strong career in Europe, leading the EIHL with 83 points in 2017-18.

Hammond made his national team debut at the 2018 Division IA World Hockey Championship, helping GB win gold to advance to the top division event for the first time in over two decades. Hammond was named as one of GB’s top three players when they ultimately moved up in 2019 before leading all British players in the EIHL once again in 2020-21. Hammond would once again help GB win gold at the 2023 Division IA World Championship, with the team set to return to the top division for 2024.

The winger recorded 15 points over four World Championships between top and Division IA events. He also represented Great Britain in the Olympic Qualifiers for the 2022 event, as well as a handful of other international tournaments.

Among other achievements, Hammond was the BCHL’s top scorer in 2010-11, was named to the OUA West’s all-star team in 2014-15 and won most sportsmanlike player in the VIJHL, BCHL and in USports.