State police: Saginaw Spirit hockey player Terry Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation

3/13/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Saginaw-Player-Dies-Game-Postponed

    Terry Trafford is pictured on the March 12, 2014 Saginaw Spirit ticket held by season ticket holders. The Saginaw Spirit's Wednesday night, March 12, 2014 home game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds has been postponed following the death of 20-year-old player Terry Trafford. The Saginaw Spirit confirmed Tuesday that police found the body of Trafford, who disappeared eight days earlier after receiving discipline from the club. (AP Photo/The Saginaw News, Jeff Schrier) ALL LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL TV INTERNET OUT

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

  • The Saginaw Spirit confirm that police found the body of Terry Trafford, who disappeared eight days earlier after receiving discipline from the club.
    The Saginaw Spirit confirm that police found the body of Terry Trafford, who disappeared eight days earlier after receiving discipline from the club.

    SAGINAW, Mich. — Police say that 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit minor league hockey player Terry Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation inside his car parked outside a Wal-Mart store.

    State police Lt. Brian Cole tells The Saginaw News that the autopsy was completed Thursday and says toxicology results will come later. He says the asphyxiation “appears to be self-inflicted.”

    The newspaper doesn’t say how the asphyxiation happened. The Associated Press left a message for Cole Thursday evening.

    The Ontario Hockey League team says its home game with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that was postponed from Wednesday because of Trafford’s death will take place Monday, ending its regular season.

    Saginaw visits the Greyhounds on Friday, then hosts the London Knights on Saturday.