With heavy hearts, the Knoxville Ice Bears announced Tuesday afternoon that Caleb Moffat, who played for several teams in the CHL and SPHL, passed away suddenly at his home in Peachtree City, Georgia on April 23. A memorial service has been set for Saturday, May 2nd at 1 P.M. at Southside Church located at 777 Robinson Road in Peachtree City. Friends are invited and asked to dress casually.

Moffat, 26, was born on March 17, 1983 in Oakville, Ontario, where he learned the game of hockey before he and his parents moved to the United States in 1995. His hockey journey “took him to the four corners of North America in the minor professional leagues of Canada and the United States” his family-written obituary said.

Those four corners included Canadian stops with the Capital Centre Pride in the NAHL, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL and the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL.

His pro career in the U.S. began with the SPHL’s Fayetteville FireAntz during the 2004-2005 season. He also spent time with the Odessa Jackalopes in the CHL in 2005 before returning to Fayetteville during the 2005-2006 campaign. It would be a short return as he finished 2006 with the Corpus Christi Rayz in the CHL. Moffat started the 2006-2007 season with the Jacksonville Barracudas in the SPHL. He logged just six games before breaking his jaw.

Fate intervened in January of 2007 when Moffat was involved in a horrific automobile crash near Jacksonville. He miraculously survived a long list of serious injuries suffered in the crash and began a long road to recovery. The recovery was completed on October 23, 2008 when he was on the ice with the Knoxville team on the opening night of the 2008-2009 season. He was released by the team in January.

“His sudden passing was an incredible and enormous shock to all who knew him for he was called away far too soon,“ the family said. “We believe he continues to chase his dream in preparation for when we all meet again to watch him play.”

Moffat is survived by his father Craig, mother Cheryl (Nee Hayter) and sister Tawny, grandparents Norma Moffat and the late Calvin Moffat of Kincardine, Ontario, Canada and Bryan and Margaret Hayter of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shepherd Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia or a charity of choice.

Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com