The Salmon Arm Silverbacks announced on Tuesday afternoon that their assistant GM and head scout, Larry Black passed away Monday at the Kelowna General Hospital after a valiant fight with cancer.
“The hockey world lost a great man last night but we all know ‘Blackie’ fought ‘til the final horn,” stated Troy Mick, general manager and president of the Silverbacks.
“I have never seen a more passionate man for the well-being of the players in all of my life and his eye for talent was second to none.”
Mick was extremely close to Black and his family after working with him for many years in junior hockey.
“Larry Black has been one of my closest friends ever since I got into junior hockey. Words cannot describe how much Larry meant to me, our organization, and how he touched the players’ lives and the game of hockey,” said Mick. “As much as Larry was a hockey guy, he was like my second father and was always there for me, or any of the players, to discuss hockey and life questions.
“Blackie was a family man through and through and somebody I will always look up too. He was a role model for us all and will be truly missed.”
The team will honor Black’s memory and his tireless efforts to the game of hockey this weekend on their helmets and in observing a moment of silence at the game versus the West Kelowna Warriors on Saturday, Dec. 6.