Lansing, Jackson hockey communities rally around two players in need

By @MichaelCaples –

The Lansing and Jackson hockey communities are rallying around two hockey players dealing with tragedy, and they can use more support.

Jackson natives Tyler Sparks, a 13-year-old skating with the Lansing Spartans, and his brother Lucas, a 6-year-old skating with the Jackson Giants, lost both their parents over the weekend.

Matthew and Sheena Sparks were found fatally shot inside their home on Sunday morning.

“Tyler and Lucas’s parents, Matt and Sheena Sparks, were tremendous people who will be remembered fondly,” the Lansing Hockey Club said in a statement. “Matt and Sheena were loved by all who knew them; a kind and generous couple who were high school sweethearts and absolutely adored one another and who always beamed with pride over their two boys.”

The boys are now living with Sheena’s parents, who are burdened with both the funeral costs and the needs for the two children. Tyler’s team in Lansing has organized a donation drive for the family, while the Jackson Area Hockey Association has promoted a GoFundMe page made for the family.

People in the Lansing community who wish to help can make donations via check (made out to the Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association) or cash/gift cards brought to the front desk of Suburban Ice East Lansing.

Funeral arrangements will be shared by the Lansing Hockey Club when they are announced.

The Lansing Hockey Club’s statement in full:

Lansing Hockey Club Families,

It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we inform the Lansing Hockey Club of a tremendous loss in our hockey community. This past weekend, Tyler Sparks of the 06 Spartans White team lost both of his parents in a tragic incident. In the wake of this tragedy, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming and several efforts are ongoing to support Tyler (13) and his brother Lucas (6). Tyler has been on both the 06 Spartans Green team as well as 06 Spartans White over the last 4 years as a part of the Lansing Hockey Club. Lucas plays 6U with the Jackson Club (JAHA).

Tyler and Lucas’s parents, Matt and Sheena Sparks, were tremendous people who will be remembered fondly. Matt and Sheena were loved by all who knew them; a kind and generous couple who were high school sweethearts and absolutely adored one another and who always beamed with pride over their two boys.

The 06 Spartans White team is putting together a donation to give directly to the family in support of funeral costs and other expenses that will certainly arise from this tragedy, as the boys are living with Sheena’s parents going forward. Donation checks can be made out to GLAHA (Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association). Cash donations and gift cards will also be accepted at Suburban Ice East Lansing. Funeral arrangements will be passed along as soon as they are announced. It is in these darkest of times that we rise up and rally together to remember that, above all, we are a Spartan hockey family.

Please join the 06 Spartans White and Green teams in remembering Matt and Sheena and supporting the Sparks family in this most difficult of times.