A B.C. man, who was among three found dead Sunday in New York state where he was attending university and playing hockey, was remembered fondly by those who knew him from his time in the BCHL.
Matthew Hutchinson, originally from North Vancouver, was in his fourth year playing hockey for the State University of New York-Geneseo, where the 24-year-old was studying geography and business, according to a statement from the school.
The Geneseo Police Department reported Sunday that two men and a woman were found dead in an off-campus residence in Geneseo, a town in western New York state, near Buffalo.
SUNY Geneseo released a statement calling the incident a “terrible tragedy” and identifying Hutchison as well as the other two who died: Kelsey Annese, a 21-year-old SUNY Geneseo student and basketball player, and Colin Kingston, a 24-year-old former student of the university.
Before attending SUNY, Hutchinson played in the B.C. Hockey League for teams including the Coquitlam Express and the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Doug Ast, who coached Hutchinson during the Chiefs’ the 2011-12 season, described the defenceman as “a glue guy,” a reliable team member valued for his work ethic and attitude.
“He was an easy kid to coach,” Ast said. “A solid, solid kid.”
Andrea Laycock, the Chiefs’ billet coordinator, said: “We were really fortunate to have him on our team.”
“Hutch was a great kid,” she said.
Thomas Dougherty, sheriff for Livingston County, wrote on Twitter Sunday: “There is no concern for public safety in the Village of Geneseo. It is an isolated incident.”
At a press conference Sunday, Geneseo Police spokesman Jeffrey Szczesniak said a knife was recovered from the scene, and no gun had been used, according to U.S. news reports.
He reportedly said police believed one of the three deceased may have been the perpetrator, but it was too early to say who that may have been, and what exactly had happened.
An article posted last month on the SUNY Geneseo Knights’ website detailed Hutchinson’s summer work with the B.C. Wildfire Service, and his volunteer service in the Geneseo Fire Department.
The article quoted Hutchinson’s Geneseo coach Chris Schultz, saying: “Matt brings a fireman mentality to his game and I’m sure he brings his game to the firehouse as well. To be a part of both cultures, you need a tough mindset. You need to put others’ well-being above your own.”
SUNY staff are assisting police with the investigation, and planning a remembrance event to “bring together the college community to support each other in this time of great sadness.”
