Squash World Mourns the Loss of Adrian Dudzicki
by Danny Da Costa

November 20, 2013 - OTTAWA (ON) – Squash Canada’s Board of Directors, High Performance Committee, National Coaches and staff are mourning the loss of rising Canadian squash star Adrian Dudzicki who died early this morning on his way to training at the National Centre of Excellence – National Squash Academy (NSA).  Dudzicki, 23, died from injuries sustained in an accident when a vehicle struck him as he rode his bicycle to the National Squash Academy. 

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 an accomplished up and coming player on the national scene.  In 2012, Dudzicki reached a career high #9 in Canada in the Men’s Open singles rankings and reached a career high #136 on the Professional Squash Association World Rankings, he was also a member of Squash Canada’s Espoir squad and captured the Ontario Singles Squash Championship.  Dudzicki 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 can not 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 whole 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 Dudzicki, 23, 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.  Wilson said, “he was my student, my friend and in many ways my teacher. 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”. 

For the past few years, Dudzicki based himself in the Toronto Area, training at National Centre of Excellence – National Squash Academy under the direction of Squash Canada Performance Director, Jamie HIckox.  Hickox indicated, “Adrian was like a son to coach and friend Johnny Wilson. Working in Ottawa, Johnny met Adrian at the tender age of 12 years 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”.