Former Ottawa police officer honoured in memorial hockey game

The hockey community in Ottawa came together on Sunday to honour an Ottawa police officer who died earlier this year, and to raise money for charity.

The inaugural Kealey Classic, which was held at the Bell Sensplex on Sunday afternoon, was a memorial hockey game in honour of Devan Kealey. He worked at the Ottawa Police Service as a cellblock officer and was a regular volunteer at the Ottawa Mission before he died suddenly at the age of 28 in April this year.

Two hockey teams led by Kealey’s longtime friends took to the ice in a friendly rivalry to compete for the Devan Kealey Memorial Trophy, and to remember a cherished friend and family member.

More than 250 people filled the bleachers and cheered for the players, who were all Kealey’s friends, family and former co-workers. Dozens of people were milling in the lobby, buying tickets to watch the game or putting their bids in for the silent auction.

To Adam Milito, one of the team captains at the Classic, Kealey was a kind-hearted soul who always wanted to help others during hard times.

“He was my roommate. … He’d come home every day and just tell me little stories about what happened that day. It’s so unfortunate that he passed away, and I hope we’re making him really happy here today.

“Mitchell Kealey, Devan’s brother, is here. When the crowd gave him a standing ovation, it was pretty emotional for me. This event couldn’t have been any more perfect.”

All the proceeds from the Classic will be donated to the Ottawa Mission in honour of Kealey’s dedication to the organization. Organizers told the Ottawa Citizen they had raised more than $1,500 before the Classic started.

Michael Hauschild, another team captain, had known Kealey since they were in Grade 4. The two of them played in the same minor league and high school hockey teams, and they became longtime friends.

“I wish he were here. I wish he could see how big the crowd was, and I know he is looking down at the event,” he said while wiping away tears.

“It’s a Sunday event right before the holidays, and we realize how difficult it might be for some to come out and support an event like this, but it really does mean the world to us.

“Everyone seems to be into it. I hope the hockey is good and fun to watch.”

Sean Kealey, Devan’s father, was overwhelmed by the support from everybody at the Sensplex on Sunday.

He remembers his son as someone everybody loved and who would fill the room with smiles and laughter.

“He was protective of his friends and protective of his family. He was one of those guys that if he walked into a room, everybody was cheering and saying hi,” Sean said.

“After his passing, I saw how much fun he had with his friends in all the videos and pictures that I saw. He was an amazing, fun guy, without a doubt.

“It’s been a tough nine months, but things like this help, and it’s going to help a great cause.”

Sean added that Devan loved volunteering at the Mission and would get involved at every chance he got.

“He had a real soft spot for the Mission. Whenever we would go downtown, he’d stop and talk to some of the people who were clients there, and he’d say hi to them on the street. He loved the people who were there,” he said.

“The turnout has been so incredible, as well as the amount of money they’re raising. … This is an incredible way to honour him.”

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