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UPDATED: Former Grand Forks Border Bruins' goalie dies in fire

Robert Dunsmuir, who played goalie for a majority of the season with the Grand Forks Border Bruins, has died in a house fire in Ontario.
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Former Grand Forks Border Bruins goalie Robert Dunsmuir died in a house fire in Ontario on March 29.

Editor's note: Originally published on April 1. Quotes from team head coach and GM Nick Deschenes added.

Robert Dunsmuir, who played goalie for a majority of the season with the Grand Forks Border Bruins, has died in a house fire in Ontario.

According to reports, Dunsmuir, along with his mother Jennifer, father Kevin and younger brother Cameron died early on March 29 at their home in East Gwillimbury, 50 kilometres north of Toronto.

The Grand Forks Border Bruins’ organization was devastated by the news.

“All of us associated with the Border Bruins were terribly saddened to learn that Robbie Dunsmuir, who was the Bruins' goalie for most of the 2012/13 season, was a victim of a house fire at his home in Ontario on Friday along with his parents and younger brother,” explained team vice-president and assistant coach Matt Zamec in a release.

“Dunsmuir, or 'Dunsy' as he was known, was a talented goalie and an outstanding teammate, but above all, a kind, generous and compassionate person and an exceptional young man. His dedication to hard work and constant improvement of himself and all around him, along with his contagious optimism, made him a great positive leader. Robbie was an exemplary member of the community, donating his time to minor hockey and volunteering for numerous outreach programs. Everyone who got to know him was touched by his honesty, gentle spirit and sense of humor. Robbie intended to play Junior A hockey in Ontario next season and had plans to go to university and medical school. He will be greatly missed," Zamec went on to say.

Border Bruins' head coach and GM Nick Deschenes echoed similar sentiments.

"Robert was an outstanding person. He was a great teammate and leader on the ice and conducted himself in the highest standard off the ice," Deschenes told the Gazette. "He was a big part of our team and our hearts go out to his family and friends in Ontario."