Former NHL forward Nic Kerdiles, 29, has died, the Anaheim Ducks announced Saturday. Kerdiles’ death resulted from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in Nashville.
Metro Nashville police responded to a crash at 3:30 a.m. ET. Kerdiles, on his motorcycle, reportedly ran a stop sign and struck the driver’s side of an SUV, according to WSMV-TV. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died.
The Ducks, in their statement, identified Kerdiles as the first local player to suit up for the franchise.
“We are heartbroken by the news of Nic Kerdiles, who died in a motorcycle accident this morning. Nic Irvine of Irvine was the first player from Orange County to play for the Ducks, in 2017. Our thoughts and condolences go out. to his family and loved ones.”
Kerdiles and his family moved to California when he was a child, and he went on to play Division I hockey at Wisconsin. In 60 games with the Badgers, he scored 26 goals and 55 assists.
The Ducks selected Kerdiles with the No. 1 overall pick. 36 in the 2012 NHL Draft. In 2017, Kerdiles made his NHL debut, playing in one regular season game with the team. He appeared in four playoff games that year as the Ducks made their run to the Western Conference Finals, recording one assist.
The following season, Kerdiles saw action in two games with the Ducks but spent most of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.
