Former NHL player Nicolas Kerdiles has died in a motorcycle crash. He was 29.
His grief-stricken former fiancée, reality star Savannah Chrisley, confirmed the sad news over social media.
Nashville police say Kerdiles ran through a stop sign on his motorcycle early Saturday morning and crashed into the driver’s side of an SUV.
Kerdiles was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the SUV stopped immediately and there is no indication either driver was impaired.
The Irvine, California native played hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Madison before getting drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2012.
The Ducks paid tribute to Kerdiles in a statement.
“We’re heartbroken to hear the news about Nic Kerdiles, who died in a motorcycle accident this morning. An Irvine native, Nic became the first player from Orange County to play for the Ducks, in 2017. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones.”
We’re heartbroken to hear the news about Nic Kerdiles, who died in a motorcycle accident this morning. An Irvine native, Nic became the first player from Orange County to play for the Ducks, in 2017. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/LMcJ47cKkt
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) September 23, 2023
After two seasons and three games with the Ducks, Kerdiles was traded to the Winnipeg Jets and played one season with the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Manitoba Moose.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison paid tribute to his “great spirit as part of our Badger family.”
…A WCHA and Big Ten Tourney champion, we remember Nic’s great spirit as part of our Badger family and have him and his family, friends and teammates in our thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/kGVNDEULIN
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) September 23, 2023
Kerdiles retired from hockey in 2019 and went into real estate. He was briefly engaged to Savannah Chrisley and appeared on the reality series Chrisley Knows Best. The couple separated in 2020.
Chrisley mourned her former fiancé over Instagram.
“Heaven gained the most beautiful angel today. I miss you and I love you,” she wrote.
“We loved hard ... and I can't wait to ride bikes along the beaches of heaven with you one day,” Chrisley posted.
