SAGINAW, MI

— The Saginaw Spirit has confirmed that a body found in a vehicle Tuesday, March 11, is that of

.

Trafford was missing for more than week when his vehicle was discovered in the parking lot of Walmart, 5825 Brockway, in Saginaw Township.

A Michigan State Police trooper spotted the vehicle and found a male body inside sometime before 5 p.m. Police had not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased man as they worked to inform family members of his death.

Before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, amid a flurry of social media activity surrounding the case,

identifying Trafford as the deceased.

"Our deepest condolences are with Terry's family and his friends both in Ontario and Michigan," the statement said. "Terry played on our team and was a member of the Spirit family for the last four years and he will be missed."

Trafford had last been seen Monday, March 3, at The Dow Event Center, where the Spirit practice and play home games.

Trafford's girlfriend, Skye Cieszlak, said

" on Sunday, March 2. Cieszlak said Trafford was "devastated" after the Spirit sent him home because of rule violations.

No cause of death has been released.

Cieszlak, 21, spoke with police at the scene where Trafford's body was found. She met Trafford when the two attended Heritage High School together. Trafford graduated from the Saginaw Township school in 2012.

The Saginaw Spirit statement said the team has been in contact with Trafford's family in Toronto.

"In addition, we met with team players and staff this evening, along with our Team Chaplain," the statement read.

The Spirit thanked law enforcement officials for their help in searching for Trafford.

Growing up in Toronto, Trafford excelled in hockey and boxing. He jumped in the ring at age 10, and, at 13, he won a provincial championship, national championship and placed fourth at a world championship event in Kansas.

He also grew into a high-level Ontario Hockey League prospect, playing midget minor hockey for the Mississauga Reps. He knew he would have to choose between the sports.

His decision was made when the Saginaw Spirit picked him in the third round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

— Jessica Shepherd is a reporter with MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact her at 989-996-0687, email her at jessica_shepherd@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.