“He had this fearlessness in net that was rare,” said Coach Ben Harrington of the Maine Moose. “But more than that, Cody was a glue guy — the kind of teammate every locker room dreams of. He made everyone feel seen, respected, and included.”

A Champion in the Crease

At 5’11” and 170 pounds, Cody may not have had the imposing frame of a stereotypical goalie, but what he lacked in size, he made up for in sheer determination, lightning reflexes, and unshakable focus.

Cody’s coaches often marveled at his preparation habits: stretching long before practice began, studying opposing shooters with a notepad, watching NHL game film on his phone during bus rides.

“Cody treated every skate, every shift, like it mattered,” said Mike Carr, goalie coach for the Central Maine Hornets. “That’s what made him great. He wasn’t just athletic — he was a student of the game.”

He earned his first starting goaltender role for the Maine Moose at age 16 and led his U18 team to the state championship finals in 2023, stopping 41 of 43 shots in a near-heroic performance that drew praise even from rival teams. By 2024, he was splitting time between the Moose and Central Maine Hornets in the Tier II juniors, where he posted a .933 save percentage and helped secure a regional playoff berth.

Off the Ice: A Gentle, Humble Leader

Despite his accolades, Cody Sack was humble to the core. He deflected praise, uplifted his teammates, and never sought the spotlight. If a younger player forgot gear, Cody was the one lending his backup set. If a teammate was down after a bad shift, Cody was there — gloved hand on shoulder, offering quiet encouragement.

“He was the kind of person who made you feel better just being around him,” said Noah Petty, a longtime teammate. “In the locker room, at school, even on a tough day, Cody was the steady guy. He kept us all together.”

A recent graduate of Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Cody had planned to attend Southern Maine Community College in the fall, where he would continue to play hockey while studying sports medicine — hoping to one day return to the ice as an athletic trainer or coach.

“He told me he wanted to help injured players get back to the game,” said his mother, Leah Sack. “That was so Cody — always looking out for others, always thinking ahead.”

Devastation and Remembrance

The cause of Cody’s sudden death has not been publicly disclosed. His family has requested privacy as they navigate this unimaginable grief.

What cannot be silenced, however, is the chorus of voices rising to remember him.

Within hours of the news breaking, teammates and friends gathered at Kennebec Ice Arena for a candlelight vigil. The arena was filled with silence, tears, and stories — stories of Cody’s infectious grin, his late-night pep talks, his ability to crack jokes even after tough losses, and the unwavering loyalty he gave to everyone in his life.

“There’s a light out in Maine hockey right now,” said Coach Harrington. “And we’re all feeling the cold that comes with it.”

Across social media, the hashtag #SticksOutForCody began trending regionally, with players from youth, high school, and junior teams posting pictures of hockey sticks on porches in his honor. His number, #31, has been retired by the Maine Moose, and his jersey will be displayed permanently in the team’s locker room.

Tributes from Across the Community

• Teammate Owen Darby: “I shared the crease with Cody for two seasons. We pushed each other to be better, and he made me a better goalie — and a better person.”
• Longtime friend Kayla Brewer: “He was the first one to volunteer at youth camps and the last one off the ice. Kids looked up to him, and he never made them feel small.”
• Family friend and neighbor Jamie Eldredge: “Every winter, Cody would clear the neighborhood rink by hand — just so kids could skate. That’s who he was.”

Final Goodbye: Honoring a Life Lived Fully and Freely

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, May 25, at 1:00 p.m. at Waterville Civic Center, followed by a public procession to Maplewood Cemetery. Attendees are encouraged to wear team jerseys, bring photos or letters to be included in a memory capsule, and participate in a ceremonial puck drop in Cody’s honor.

The Sack family, in partnership with local hockey organizations, has launched the Cody Sack Foundation, a scholarship fund supporting aspiring goalies in financial need. Donations can be made at [codysackfoundation.org].

Additionally, the Maine Amateur Hockey Association (MEHA) has announced the creation of the Cody Sack Memorial Award, to be presented annually to a goalie who demonstrates resilience, sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the ice.

A Legacy Beyond the Boards

As the hockey world pauses to remember Cody Sack, it becomes clear that his influence cannot be measured in wins or stats alone. His real triumphs were the lives he touched: the kid he stayed late to help learn to skate, the teammate he believed in when others didn’t, the stranger he greeted with warmth and sincerity.

He was a goalie — yes — but more than that, he was a protector, a builder of confidence, a source of quiet strength, and an embodiment of what sportsmanship truly means.

“When the puck dropped, he was fearless,” said Coach Carr. “But off the ice, Cody showed that the greatest strength is kindness. That’s the legacy we’ll carry forward.”

In Their Own Words: The Family’s Statement

The Sack family released a heartfelt message to the community:

“Cody was a son, a brother, a teammate, and a friend. He gave his heart to the game he loved and to the people around him. We are devastated by his loss, but overwhelmed by the love being shown in his memory. Thank you for honoring him by living with heart, courage, and compassion — the way Cody always did.”

In the echoing quiet of the rinks he once ruled, in the worn crease of the net he defended so fiercely, in the memory of every glove save, post-game hug, and belly laugh in the locker room — Cody Sack’s spirit lives on.

He was more than a goalie.
He was a guardian, a light, a legend in the making.
And though he may be gone far too soon, his story — and his impact — will never fade.