PSA Mourns Death of Adrian Dudzicki

The PSA has paid tribute to rising Canadian Squash player Adrian Dudzicki who died yesterday morning in a tragic accident.

23-year-old Dudzicki who had ranked as high as number 136 on the PSA rankings during his career, having also reached a career high number nine in the Canadian national rankings, died from injuries sustained when a vehicle struck him while he was riding a bicycle in Ottawa.

Dudziki joined the PSA World Tour in 2008, competing in 43 events since then including the GoodLife Open in Ottawa, where he made his PSA debut in October 2007.

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Adrian Dudzicki, a talented young player who had the squash world at his feet.

"Adrian was a dedicated squash player who was always a pleasure to deal with and who had a promising future ahead of him.

"Our thoughts are with the Dudzicki family at this sad time. He will be sorely missed."

Squash Canada Executive Director Danny Da Costa indicated: "We lost one of our own today, a great young man with a bright future in the game of squash, and he will be sorely missed around the squash courts."

Dudzicki was a member of Squash Canada's Espoir squad and captured the Ontario Singles Squash Championship. He also represented Canada at the 2010 World University Games in Melbourne, Australia, and was the Canadian University & College Champion in 2010 while attending the University of Ottawa.

Squash Canada President Lolly Gillen said: "Words alone cannot sincerely express the condolences Squash Canada wishes to share with the Dudzicki family and the multitude of Adrian's friends. Losing a popular aspiring athlete at such a tender age with so much potential, dedication and commitment to fulfilling his dreams of becoming one of our top players has left a huge hole in us all. The entire Canadian squash community is totally numb and it will take considerable time to recover from the effects of this tragedy."

Born in Latina, Italy, Adrian was raised in the Ottawa area where he grew up playing squash at the Ottawa Athletic Club under the direction of squash-professional Johnny Wilson.

"He was my student, my friend and in many ways my teacher," said Wilson. "He was a true free spirit who lived his life the way he wanted. He was admired. He was loved and will be deeply missed. Adrian will very much want his friends, family and the squash world to celebrate his life and share his philosophy to enjoy life and to enjoy the moment."

Squash Canada Performance Director Jamie Hickox said: "Adrian was like a son to coach and friend Johnny Wilson.

"Working in Ottawa, Johnny met Adrian at the tender age of 12 and found the young lad to be a bit of a lost soul. This is when their squash journey began. And what a journey! Adrian became a hard working and gritty squash pro who was ready to take on the world.

"He recently took time off the game with the intention to work and save enough money to fuel a run at the Professional Squash Association (PSA) in the New Year.

"A gentle and intelligent man, the community has lost a bright light and a kid who had every chance to make his mark on the world squash scene"