Community mourns loss of student-athlete

JEREMIAH BARTZ/Sports Editor

Those who knew Jaxon Logan agree he will be remembered for always doing something extra - something extra on the ice, something extra in life.

Unfortunately, Logan's drive to do something extra on the ice led to his death. Logan, 18, died Jan. 21 after being hit in the chest with a puck during a hockey game in Provo, Utah.

Logan, a freshman at Brigham Young University and first-year forward for the American College Hockey Association's Provo IceCats, dove in front of the IceCats goal to stop the puck. Shortly after, Logan collapsed.

Even though his IceCat squad held a substantial lead over the Northern Colorado University club team, Logan did not hesitate to quit working.

"That's how he played every game," former Palmer High School head coach Brian Fish said. "Not just when he felt like it, not just out of the blue, that's what he brought every day."

Logan grew up around the game of hockey, and after a four-year career at PHS, he was establishing himself as a much-improved player for the IceCats.

"He was doing really good, he was emerging," Houston High School head coach Jamie Smith. "It's a total tragedy."

At Palmer, Logan was seen as a leader, on and off the ice.

"The way I describe him is a true person," Fish said. "He really was one of those kids on your team who never complained about anything, always worked hard and always willing to help out. By his senior year he was a guy we looked at to be a leader - always keep a positive attitude, lead by example."

Most say Logan's biggest contributions can not be found on a hockey scoresheet and his biggest contributions would be to society, rather than hockey.

"He's one of those kids in your school who is an absolute role model and leader," Palmer High activities director Brandon Blake said. "Kids looked up to him and respected him. He was a real contributor, not just on the ice, but in life."

Fish said as a captain during his senior year, Logan regularly showed his leadership abilities off the ice, prompting his teammates to get involved in community projects.

"That kind of shows he had a lot to offer off the ice," Fish said.

A memorial service for Logan will be held at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Wasilla at 1 p.m. The viewing is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday.

Palmer High School honored Logan with a moment of silence prior to its varsity hockey game against Colony on Wednesday and will have another moment of silence prior to its game against Wasilla tonight.

The Palmer players are wearing Logan's number 11 on their helmets for the remainder of the season. Wasilla and Colony will also wear Logan's number 11 on their helmets during the Region III hockey championships, hosted by Palmer High School next week.

The Region III championships will be dedicated to Logan.