Rocco Renaud: A Lasting Legacy Left On and Off the Ice

By SDSSAA Puck

It is often forgotten how precious life is. You never really think about it until someone close to you loses theirs.

Last Friday, May 23rd, Roch “Rocco” Renaud, aged just 19, tragically and suddenly passed away in a work mishap. An outgoing and beloved member of the community, Rocco’s passing shook not only his close friends but many in the city of Sudbury at large. Many have paid tribute to the young soul. Whether that be the countless Instagram stories with the hashtag #belikerocco, reminding us that he was the standard of what a human should be, to the Sudbury water tower being lit up blue in memory of him, to being remembered by legendary Hockey Night in Canada host Ron McLean. It seemed that everyone he encountered left with nothing but a good impression.

While he was with us, Rocco formed a reputation as not only a kind and loving human being but also a great athlete and fearsome competitor in whatever sport he did. Whether he was shooting an impressive 86 at NOSSA golf in 2023 to help win St. Charles the boys' team title, or smacking shuttles at NOSSA badminton for a strong 5th place finish with partner Logan West.

However, Rocco’s first love, and in many ways his only love, was hockey. Having played AA and AAA for all of his youth, Rocco was not the type of player who tried to run up his stats to get himself better prospects. He always put his team and their success over himself and went into the dirty areas for them.

“Growing up playing with Rocco, the biggest thing was that he always knew the balance between having us and doing what it took to win,” said Rylan Forsyth, one of Rocco’s closest friends and teammates growing up. “Everyone had respect for him, and he never cheated the game. He would come to every game and every practice with his work boots on, ready to go to war. He knew when the team had to be serious in big moments and when they could have fun in others.”

After his rep career concluded after the COVID stoppage, Rocco joined the prestigious St. Charles Cardinals boys hockey team for the 2021-2022 season. After winning back-to-back city championships with the Cardinals, Rocco entered the 2023-2024 season with the most responsible role on the team: the captain. Rocco stepped up to the challenge, scoring 37 points in 24 total games with the team. But as is his player and personality type, his effects were felt by all of his teammates in the locker room. In the finals series against the Lo-Ellen Park Knights, the Cardinals found themselves in a 2-0 hole and had to reverse sweep the powerhouse Knights. With Rocco and his determined leadership, the Cardinals did just that and won another city title, with Rocco himself scoring the game-winning goal in game four. The Cardinals would then win the NOSSA title before falling at OFSAA, ending Rocco’s hockey career.

However, when thinking of Rocco, many do not think of Rocco’s illustrious hockey career, but instead of the person he was when encountering him in person.

“He was just so special. The way I like to put it is that he just got it.” Forsyth continued. “There was never a conversation that couldn’t be had with him because he was just such an easy-going guy. He valued all of his friends so much and always showed a certain type of loyalty. His contagious laugh, constant smile, and unwavering respect that he showed to everyone he met were so addictive, and it reflected on everyone who knew him.”

Whether it was playing hockey and taking hits for his team or doing something for a friend, Rocco was the type of person who always put everyone else around him over himself. The type of person who valued everyone he knew as a person and always did the right thing for them. He is someone who is enshrined in the memories of many people throughout the city.

He left a legacy as someone who was a great sportsman on the ice, but an even better human being off of it.