Pyatt leaves Canucks after death of fiancee in car accident

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Canucks forward Taylor Pyatt left the team after his fiancee was killed in a car accident.

Pyatt returned to his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, after Carly Bragnalo was killed Thursday in a crash while vacationing in Jamaica. The couple, both 27, planned to marry this summer.

"Today the Canucks lost a member of our family," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said in a statement released Friday confirming the death. "Carly was a lovely and generous young woman who shared her spirit for life with our players, their spouses and their extended families. We will support the Bragnalo family, Taylor and his entire family in any way we can during this very difficult time.

In a statement, Pyatt's family said it was "deeply saddened by this tragic loss. At this difficult period, the family would request to be given the time to grieve in private. We are focused on our son and the Bragnalo family. We thank you for your support and understanding."

Pyatt had an assist in Vancouver's 6-5 shootout loss to Anaheim on Thursday, giving the soft-spoken 6-foot-4 forward 10 goals and 19 points in 69 games this season.

Bragnalo's death is the second tragedy to hit the Canucks in the past year. Defenseman Luc Bourdon died on May 29, 2008, in a motorcycle crash near his New Brunswick home. He was 21.