The Twin Cities hockey community is mourning the loss of a beloved, longtime coach.

The Wayzata Youth Hockey Association shared the news, announcing that coach Derek Krueger passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday.

“Derek dedicated countless hours to the Wayzata Youth Hockey Association, coaching our Squirt A, Peewee AA, and Bantam AA teams,” the group wrote in a statement.

Krueger led Wayzata’s Bantam AA team to a state championship in 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their four children, three of whom play hockey with the Wayzata Youth Hockey Association.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support his family.

“Derek was more than just a hockey coach - he was a mentor, a role model, and a friend to countless players, parents, and families,” a post on the page reads.

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