Clay teen recalled as small but mighty

 Clay High School hockey team members Anthony Csizek, left, Logan Myers, and Hudson Sabin gather to remember Cody Van Hersett. 'He was the littlest guy on our team, but he took on the biggest person on the opposing team,' Logan, 17, of Oregon, said Friday. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Clay High School sophomore Cody Van Hersett couldn't grow a mustache, but the feisty 120-pounder wasn't afraid to compete against older, stronger hockey players with full-grown beards.

His teammates thought he was fearless.

"He was the littlest guy on our team, but he took on the biggest person on the opposing team," said friend Logan Myers, 17, of Oregon. "He was a lion on the inside, but a baby on the outside."

Cody, 16, of Oregon, was killed in a car crash Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, his Clay High School teammates wore their hockey jerseys and quietly gathered to remember their friend while just down the street, Cody's family members comforted each other at his parents' home.

"It wasn't his fault," said his grandmother Gail Durczynski of Oregon. "We ask the question, 'Why?' He didn't deserve it."

Tractor-trailer  driver Lyle Schmidt, 78, of Merrill, Wis., was in the eastbound lane on Navarre Avenue in Oregon, turning left onto Wynn Road, about 2:30 p.m. Thursday when he turned into the path of Cody's pickup, which was traveling west on Navarre, said Lt. Hank Everitt of the Oregon Police Department.

Cody's compact truck, which he started driving about two months ago, was wedged underneath the semi at the scene.

Clay hockey player AJ Burns wears a bracelet in memory of Cody Van Hersett. Most of Cody's teammates were upperclassmen, but they adopted Cody as one of their own. The basement at Cody's house was the place where the team liked to hang out. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The teenager, who was on his way to McDonald's, died in the crash, about two miles from his house.

His visitation is 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 8 p.m. Monday at Eggleston Meinert and Pavley Funeral Home, 440 S. Coy Rd.. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Clay High School auditorium.

Mr. Schmidt pleaded not guilty Friday to vehicular homicide, Oregon Municipal Court records show. If Mr. Schmidt is convicted, the maximum penalty for the misdemeanor charge is six months in jail, Officer Everitt said. Mr. Schmidt was also cited for failure to yield while turning left.

Cody is survived by his parents, Michelle, a registered nurse, and John, who is enrolled at the police academy at Owens Community College. Cody also had two brothers, Jarod, 10, and Ethan, 4.

Since birth, Cody -- who was six weeks premature and weighed less than five pounds -- was small.

"He was always little," said his aunt, Valerie Killinger, of Cincinnati. "But he made up for it in character. He had a lot of love in his heart."

When he wasn't riding snowmobiles or spending time at his family's cottage in Brooklyn, Mich., he played hockey, a sport he picked up at about the age of 7.

His family members were his biggest fans.

His grandfather Jeff Schenkel of Toledo watched him grow as a skater.

His mother wrote Facebook updates live from the games, and Ethan painted his face to support his big brother, whom he idolized.

Most of Cody's teammates were upperclassmen, but they adopted Cody as one of their own. They spent so much time at his house that they stopped knocking at the door when they came over.

The basement at the house was decorated with hockey banners, a big television, and comfy chairs.

It was there that the team chose to hang out.

His teammates laughed about how Cody could sleep anywhere. He was so petite, he once curled up in his hockey equipment bag to take a nap before an early morning game.

Cody was sometimes sluggish, usually the last one to get ready for games, and could eat Taco Bell for any meal, even breakfast.

Sophomore Cody Van Hersett, 16, of Oregon was killed in a collision Thursday with a tractor-trailer rig on Navarre Avenue. Enlarge

But No. 23 was ferocious on the ice.

The forward scored three goals and had six assists since high school league play began in early December, his teammates said.

Cody's death is the second tragedy for the team's senior class.

In November, 2008, Clay hockey player Kyle Cannon suffered a neck injury during a game and was paralyzed. He uses a wheelchair to get around.

On Dec. 26, the Eagles played in a tournament at the Huntington Center with other local high schools to raise money for the senior -- the third year for the event.

Clay hockey players have dealt with the pain by sticking together.

"Band of brothers," Logan said. "All the time."

Contact Gabrielle Russon at: grusson@theblade.com or 419-724-6026.