Yukoner Jim Fowler dies after skating into open water

A well-known Yukoner is dead after falling into open water on Marsh Lake, Sunday night.

Jim Fowler, 73, was skating on the ice when he apparently went off the ice edge into openwater.

There is solid ice off the shore at the Judas Creek subdivision but large areas of open water further out on Marsh Lake.

Fowler, an avid skater, went out skating on Sunday with his family. Later in the evening he went out again on his own.

Yukoncoroner Kirsten MacDonald says when he didn't return at the expected time, a search was launched.

One of his neighbours found Fowler's body in the early morning hours near the edge of the lake ice.

"He had a headlamp on," she said. "The information we have right now is that the ice was out further yesterday afternoon. Sometime in the afternoon someone heard a large crack and the ice kind of broke free and floated off so potentially he went out there, possibly expecting the ice to be a lot further out. Certainly there's no indication of foul play and no injuries."

MacDonald said the investigation is continuing.

Police and search and rescue workers recovered Fowler'sbody at first light Monday morning.

He was a long-time teacher in Whitehorse and a member of the Yukon Sport Hall of Fame. He coached young people in minor hockey and ran a hockey school for many years.

Yukon Health minister Doug Graham, aformer neighbour, says Fowler played a huge part in the development of hockey in Yukon.

"The first year I played for him I was 15 years old," he said.

"During that time frame you can just count the number of young fellows who have been able to play hockey at the university level, major junior level, or in some cases professional level. I would say almost every one of those kids went through the minor hockey program where Jim Fowler taught skill development."

His death is a blow to the Judas Creek neighbourhood where Fowler played a big part in community life. He was known for his kindness and good nature.