Guelph, Ont. – Cole Hamblin, a former Western Hockey League player who was set to play for the University of Guelph this season, passed away on Wednesday (Nov. 5) less than two months after being diagnosed with cancer.  He was 21 years old.
 
After suffering from severe lower back pain and losing 30 pounds, the native of St. Adolphe, Manitoba was diagnosed with stage four mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a rare cancer that spread to his lymph nodes, spine and other skeletal areas.  University of Guelph Athletic Director Tom Kendall said, "This is a tragedy for the Hamblin family. To lose a child in the prime of their life has to be the worst nightmare. Although Cole was not here for very long he had already endeared himself to his teammates. He was looking forward to a promising career as a Gryphon and we were happy to have him here. We are all so sorry that this has happened and we are thinking of his family at this time."
 
Prior to joining the University of Guelph, Cole spent time with the Spokane Chiefs and Regina Pats of the WHL.  Hamblin also suited up in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with the Selkirk Steelers, Winnipeg Blues, Portage Terriers and Virden Oil Capitals. 
 
After taking part in the Gryphons summer hockey camps, Cole was unable to clear his medical test to join the Gryphon men's hockey team due to his health complications, and in late September he would return home to Manitoba.  Prior to his passing, the men's hockey team at Guelph had already taken it upon themselves to start fundraising on Cole's behalf.  The Gryphons will continue to do so as the season progresses, and are currently in the process of having a patch with his initials sewn onto their jerseys in Cole's honour which they will wear for the remainder of the season.
 
Donations on behalf of Cole's family are being accepted at each of the Gryphons' home games.  The Gryphons host McGill Friday night at 7:30pm at the Gryphon Centre and will have a moment of silence prior to the game.