Ayr Bruins pay tribute to late Braehead Clan and Team GB player Mike Hammond
Mike's brother Steven was presented with a Bruins Jersey to award a lucky youth player from the summer training camp.
Last updated 10th Aug 2023
Members at Ice Hockey team Ayr Bruins have paid tribute to the late Mike Hammond by presenting a home jersey with his name and number to his family.
Hammond was a former Braehead Clan and Team GB player who built up connections with members of the Bruins during his stay in Scotland between 2016 and 2017.
On July 19, 2023, the news of Mike being suddenly killed in a car accident while in Canada shook the Ice Hockey world.
Over the past few days, some of Mike’s former colleagues and team members have been spending time at Ayr Ice Rink as part of a training camp for younger players.
It was some of the kids who came up with the idea of inviting Mike’s family over to Scotland to see the impact he made on the sport.
Young Bruins player Zain Strachan said: “Mike was one of my favourite players at the clan, and I really loved watching him play and just wanted to contribute to the memory of his life.”
On Wednesday 9 August, Mike’s brother Steven spent the afternoon at Ayr Ice Rink watching all the young players paying tribute.
Steven has signed the Bruins Jersey with Mike’s nickname and number on the back and sleeve, and at the end of the camp the hardest working player was awarded with the jersey.
It was a moment and gesture that Steven says has helped his family deal with some of the grief.
Steven Hammond told Clyde 1: “It’s very heart-warming, not only for me, but for my full family.
“These kinds of things help you get through hard times. It’s helped my mum a lot. To see everyone that cares is very uplifting.
“Living in Canada, and not really being able to travel and see Mike, it’s incredible to see the impact and how many people he touched over here.
“He’d be overwhelmed. I don’t think he knew the extent of the impact he had over here. I’m grateful to have the chance to be over here and see the support, it’s been overwhelming for our family.”