Former Winnipeg Jets player Jason Cirone sadly passes away at 53

The tragic news of the passing of a former Winnipeg Jets draft pick has been announced, adding to the list of truly amazing people the hockey world has lost in recent years. Jason Cirone, who was selected by the Jets in 1989, reportedly passed away at the age of 53 after a difficult fight with cancer.

When he was younger, Cirone participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a Don Mills minor league team.

In the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected Cirone in the third round (46th overall). He was a junior hockey player for the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires and Cornwall Royals. Cirone played in three games for the Jets in 1991-1992.

In August 1993, the Jets traded Cirone to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Dave Tomlinson.

Despite playing only three NHL games with the Jets in his career, Cirone would go on to become a household name for many fans abroad. He would play 190 games in the Italian Hockey League with Asiago, where he amassed 92 goals and 194 points while also winning fans over.

Being an Italian citizen, Cirone competed for his country's national team in the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy in 2006.

He was equally impressive when he played for Italy at the World Championships, scoring nine goals and racking up twenty-one points in 46 games with the squad over the years. However, his fight with cancer has finally come to an end.

In addition to being an incredible player, Cirone was also a wonderful person and a great friend to many people off the ice. Unfortunately, cancer took Cirone's life far too soon.

We offer our deepest condolences to his friends, family, former teammates, and anybody else who Cirone has influenced over the years. We hope that you will be able to overcome this extremely trying time in your lives and find strength, joy, and happiness.

Rest in Peace Jason Cirone.