Beloved minor hockey coach killed in Maple Ridge, B.C., crash

Tributes are pouring in for a beloved hockey coach who was killed in a crash in Maple Ridge as members of the community gathered at a vigil.

Tributes are pouring in for a local minor league hockey coach who was killed in a car crash in Maple Ridge over the weekend.

Community members gathered at the Pitt Meadows Arena Monday to remember 47-year-old Martin Hak, who had been coaching with Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey for more than a decade.

Hak guided athletes from their first time in skates all the way to the junior leagues, general manager Jordan Emmerson told CTV News.

“He meant a lot to our association, he meant a lot to the families in our association. He wasn’t just a coach—he was a mentor; he was a friend,” Emmerson said. “There’s just no words right now for what we’re going through.”

Hak was most recently the head coach of the Mission City Outlaws, after helping the Ridge Meadows Flames win back-to-back championships in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons.

“He cared more than anyone. He legitimately just cared and that’s why he was so successful,” Emmerson continued. “He’s intense and probably swears too much, but he loves his athletes and he cares for them and he’ll do anything for them, and that’s something I hope everyone remembers about Hak.”

Hak leaves behind his wife and two daughters.

The RCMP have not released any details about the multi-vehicle crash that took his life, which happened around 5:30 p.m. Sunday on 128^th Avenue near Laity Street. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, paramedics took three patients to hospital, two in serious condition and one in stable condition.