On Wednesday, Edmonton Oilers prospect Kristians Pelss jumped into a Latvian river. On Friday, a body was found. On Saturday, that body was confirmed as Pelss.

The 20-year-old winger's familyâ€”and the hockey communityâ€”had held out hope that he'd survived.

"This is the news we feared. Kristians was an outstanding man and we feel terrible he has left us at such a young age," Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said in a released statement.

"I can't imagine how painful this situation is for the Pelss family. On behalf of everyone working at the Oilers, Oil Kings and our affiliate teams, as well as all of our fans, I offer our most sincere and deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with them as they work through this incredibly difficult time."

A speedy winger who was taken in the seventh round of the 2010 draft, Pelss split time with Edmonton's AHL and ECHL affiliates. He had 50 points in his last year with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League.

Travis Ewanyk, also in the Oilers system and a teammate with the Oil Kings, tweeted about the loss.

Such an amazing brother, son, friend and teammate. Just grateful to have known you Pelssy. Rest in peace. — Travis Ewanyk (@T_Ewanyk) June 15, 2013

Several others remembered and mourned Pelss on Twitter his nickname.

Tweets about "Pelssy"