TORONTO (AP) – A former U.S. college hockey star’s organs have been donated by his parents after he died from injuries suffered in an attack.
In a statement released Wednesday, Michael Serba’s family said the organ donations would allow their son’s legacy to live on through the lives of others.
Serba, a graduate student at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., died Tuesday, and an autopsy was to take place in Toronto.
He had been on life support since being struck in the head with an unknown object, possibly a brick, early Saturday morning after he left a bar.
The 25-year-old had been visiting over the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend from Vermont’s Norwich University.
Police say the attempted murder charge against 22-year-old Nicholas Crowdis of Toronto is expected to be upgraded at his next court appearance Dec. 4.
Serba’s family said he was “a bright, energetic and compassionate young man who proved to be an inspiration to those who knew him.”
“Out of this tragedy we are comforted that Michael’s great many qualities of strength, determination, compassion and goodness continue to shine through beyond his life,” the statement read.
“As an eligible organ donor, Michael’s desire to help others, as he always has, carries on.”
“We know Michael is at peace and smiling down at us while offering this most special gift.”
Serba played four successful seasons with the Norwich Cadets.
The business major had been attending graduate school and expected to finish his studies in the spring.
The crime cast a pall over the Cadets’ victory over the weekend in the championship game of the Primeline Great Northern Shootout tournament, where the team rallied to defeat Plattsburgh State 4-2 Saturday at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena.
Norwich players hung Serba’s No. 20 jersey over their bench. In the traditional trip around the ice after the win, some players held the trophy aloft, while others raised Serba’s jersey.
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