GRANDVILLE, Mich.--Grandville High School hockey players took to the ice Friday night with more than winning on their minds. It was less than a year ago when they lost one of their own. Ryan Fischer died from an enlarged heart.
Fischer was a senior at Grandville High School and a multi-sport athlete. After graduation, he planned to attend Westpoint to defend the country his family says he loved so much.
"Ryan was such a great kid and his life example was so awesome while he was here and we knew it while he was here that you certainly don't want anyone to forget that," said his mother, Roni Fischer.
Ryan's younger brother, Connor, now plays on the team. He's just a sophomore among experienced varsity players, but he says his brother is constant motivation to not only be a better player, but a better person, too.
"It's really special. It gives us a chance to honor Ryan and the legacy he has," Connor said. "The legacy he left behind with Grandville hockey and just the chance to play with these boys now and go out there and honor him and play for him."
Friday night Grandville High School attempted to unveil a memorial to Ryan. As Connor and the team's captains went to reveal the banner, the string broke. An unfortunate mishap Grandville's Athletic Director says Ryan would find funny. Instead, the team shared a picture of the banner.
"It's special, it's really special. I mean we've all heard a lot about how great of a legacy, how great of a person he was and now to see him always in the rafters every game, every home game I'm here, every home game when I'm long gone and graduated, that jersey is going to be up there and that jersey can be where people look and really remember him," Connor said.
Now everyone that enters the arena will be reminded of Ryan with number 11 hanging from the rafters, a jersey retired and memorial to his legacy.
"Speaking as his mom, I just don't want him ever forgotten. It's just a way we can make sure that he's not."
There will be a charity game February 7 at Van Andel Arena. The night will feature a game between Grandville and rivals Detroit Catholic Central followed by a Griffin's game. Proceeds from tickets will go to two scholarships in Ryan's honor.
