Top British hockey prospect Alex Graham passes away at 20

The Sheffield Steelers have announced that 20-year-old forward Alex Graham has passed away.

No cause of death has been given.

“Everyone at the club is heartbroken by the news and wish to pass on our thoughts and condolences to Alex’s family, friends and teammates,” the team said in a statement, adding that he was “regarded as an outstanding talent about to make his mark on the professional game.”

Graham signed his first professional hockey contract with the club one month ago to the day. He had five points in 15 EIHL games last year, as well as 40 goals and 80 points in 36 games with their affiliate club, the NIHL’s Sheffield Steeldogs. Graham won the NIHL’s young player of the year award for his dominating performance.

Graham, along with Arizona Coyotes prospect Liam Kirk, among others, was considered to be one of the top young hockey players in Great Britain. Graham had always been one of the top players with the GB junior national team, having last put up six points in five games at the Division IIA world juniors in 2021-22. He helped the U-20 team win silver in 2019-20 and bronze in 2021-22.

Graham was Sheffield’s youngest player signed for the 2023-24 EIHL season, with the team consisting of a handful of players that have previously played in the American Hockey League.

At the time of the signing, Steelers GM/coach Aaron Fox said, “The more he played for us the more comfortable he looked and earned more and more responsibility as the season went on… His puck skills and shot are extremely high end.”

Graham received some NHL Draft interest in the past, but was never selected. The Niagara Ice Dogs took him in the second round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, but he elected to stay home and try and be part of a winning foundation back home. The Steelers lost in the semifinals last year, with the team last winning the title in 2017.