Bisons mourning loss of teammate

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Remembering his infectious smile and big heart, the CFR Chemicals Bison teammates are mourning Markus Lavallee who unexpectedly, along with his grandmother, was taken from his family and his team following a car accident last weekend.
The 16-year-old joined the Bisons last year and quickly became known for his positive outlook and willingness to lend a hand.
His passing devastated those around him that are now left to cope with the loss.
“Markus is the kind of guy that you love to be around,” said Bisons General Manager Wayne Hansen. “He was so happy, he was always encouraging. No matter how bad things were going for you, if you saw Markus you had to have a smile on your face.”
Born and raised in Chestermere, until he moved to Strathmore a year ago, the AAA midget player had a passion for sports. Competing in track and field, soccer, basketball, lacrosse and working out, the teen was always eager to improve. However, his friends remember him as the first one to crack a joke and breaking down some dance moves.
“He’d goof around with you and make you feel better about your day whether it was going good or not,” said Bison teammate said Josh Bishop.
Lavallee, who also played for the Wheatland Warriors from 2011-2012, left an impression with his former double-A bantam coach Paden Grant.
Acknowledging the player’s selfless play and need to put his teammates first, Grant said it was his pleasure to have coached the young athlete.
“You hear a lot of stuff other people say about him, and it’s all true,” said Grant. “He was all smiles, he was pleasant to be around, and his teammates loved him. Every time I’d see him he’d come up and we’d chat and catch up. That doesn’t always happen with a player after you’re done with him. He was a pleasant player and a pleasant person.”
His considerate personality also didn’t go unnoticed with Bisons Captain Shane Fraser, who said he relied on Lavallee when in need of a goal. According to Fraser, Lavallee was a behind-the-scenes type of guy who went out on the ice to do his job.
Shortly after 3 p.m. on July 11, Lavallee and his 63-year-old grandmother Kathleen Lavallee, were struck by a cement truck at the intersection of Hwy 901 and Hwy 817.
Markus and Kathleen Lavallee’s funeral will take place at the Centre Street Church in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. on July 17.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers at the service or at any Credit Union using the name ‘In Trust for Markus Lavallee.’