Danny Cleary is among those posting tributes to the 10-year-old boy from Clarenville who lost his life in a tragic Christmas Day accident.

Cleary, who won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008, personally knew Joshua Wilcox. On Boxing Day, Cleary posted on his hockey school Facebook page that he is “heartbroken” over the loss. 

The young boy, who played in the Atom division, died on Christmas Day when the side-by-side he was riding in with his father broke through some ice.

Since the tragedy, hockey organizations have taken to social media with messages of condolence. Some posted pictures of hockey sticks outside front doors as a way to show support for the Wilcox family and other hockey players in the Clarenville area who are mourning the sudden loss.

The local minor hockey association is coordinating a fundraiser for the family.

Melinda Quinton-Hemeon, a mother of two teammates on Joshua’s hockey team, also posted a video tribute to the little boy who loved hockey so much.

Cleary wrote “he (Joshua) loved coming to our hockey school and he will forever be remembered for that precious smile underneath his mask. It was contagious!”

According to the post, Joshua won a free hockey school giveaway at their banquet and Cleary said his excitement when he won was “priceless.” Cleary posted a picture of himself and Todd Bertuzzi with Joshua from last year’s camp.

Cleary concluded the post with by saying “RIP Little Man. We love you!”

Funeral services for Joshua will be officiated by Pentecostal Pastor Andrew Ball at the Memorial United Church on Monday at 2 p.m.