Former Flyers goaltender Ray Emery died Sunday morning. First responders pulled his body out of Hamilton Harbour, where he had been swimming with friends. An investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing.
Emery was 35.
According to local authorities, Emery was checking out a friend's boat docked at Royal Hamilton Yacht Club when the group he was with decided to jump in the water around 6:30 a.m. Emery's body never surfaced and was eventually recovered around 2:50 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Hamilton police say Emery's body was recovered in close proximity to where he was last seen.
Emery was last seen publicly with a handful of his former teammates Saturday night as the goaltender participated in Zac Rinaldo's charity hockey game in Hamilton. Emery can be seen standing during the playing of "O Canada."
Always an honour to sing our anthem, but it's a little extra special when it's in support of an amazing cause like @Food4KidsHamOnt ! Thank you @rinaldozac for having me ☺️🇨🇦🎤 pic.twitter.com/PMsBhR4eIW— Sienna Rose (@SiennaRoseMusic) July 14, 2018
Several of Emery's former teammates over the years offered their condolences via Twitter after learning of the tragedy.
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Fuck me razor😔You were the best#RIP— Jakub Voracek (@jachobe) July 15, 2018
So sad to hear the tragic news about Ray Emery- was a great teammate and person #rip— James van Riemsdyk (@JVReemer21) July 15, 2018
At a loss for words. An incredible teammate and stall mate. Rip razor— Scott Laughton (@Laughts21) July 15, 2018
So sad to hear the news of Ray Emery. You will be missed bro! #RIPRazor— Scott Hartnell (@Hartsy43) July 15, 2018
RIP Razor! You will be missed bro. pic.twitter.com/2K6KyDkUtw— RILEY COTE (@rileecoyote) July 15, 2018
Ray was a great teammate and an even better friend. Rest in peace Razor. I'll miss you man. pic.twitter.com/NNHNc1Swyd— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) July 15, 2018
Former Flyer Daniel Carcillo shared the he was crushed by the news (NSFW).
Emery joined the Flyers in June 2009 on a one-year contract, shutting out the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 in his Flyers debut. The goaltender's first stint in Philadelphia was cut short when he suffered a muscle tear in his abdomen in December missing the remainder of the season. Emery was later diagnosed with avascular necrosis - a degenerative condition to the bone tissue in his hip.
After undergoing successful surgery, Emery eventually joined the Ducks before winning a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013. Impressively, Emery finished the regular season with a 17-1-0 record. He re-signed with the Flyers that summer as a backup to Steve Mason.
Emery's most infamous moment in Philadelphia came during an ugly 7-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on November 1, 2013, as the Flyers netminder pummeled Caps goalie Braden Holtby during a line brawl in the early stages of the third period.
Emery faced criminal charges over a handful of off-the-ice incidents and altercations. Most recently, he was arrested for assault with a weapon in 2017 against former fiancé Keshia Chanté.
Emery played a total of 287 NHL games, 88 with the Flyers.