RIGA, Latvia, June 16 (R-Sport) - Latvian police confirmed on Sunday that 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers prospect Kristians Pelss drowned after leaping from a bridge into a river in the capital Riga.
His relatives had identified a body found on Friday, police said, ending a four-day search in the fast-flowing Daugava River.
"This is the news we feared. Kristians was an outstanding man and we feel terrible he has left us at such a young age," said Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish in a statement late Saturday.
"I can't imagine how painful this situation is for the Pelss family."
It was not clear why Pelss might have sought to end his life. "Details in regards to what led to this tragedy remain unclear," the club said.
Reports in Latvia said relatives raised the alarm after being unreachable on his cellphone for several days.
Pelss, who played for the Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate, was a seventh-round draft pick in 2010.
He played on Latvia’s under-18 team from 2008 to 2010 before graduating to the under-20 team. He captained Latvia at the under-20 world championship last year.
