It's been a tough few days for family and friends of a young Sault Ste. Marie man killed in a recent car crash in Minnesota.  

Michael Doan was killed in a single vehicle accident this past weekend after his car travelled into a ditch and struck a utility pole.  

Doan was only 25-years-old, and he just finished his first season playing professional hockey.

The former goalie played for the Soo Thunderbirds, before leaving town to play for Northern Michigan University and the University of Windsor.

This past season, Doan appeared in 16 games for the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

He is known by many for his talents as a goaltender, but for childhood friends he was so much more than just an athlete.

"He touched so many people's lives and he always had a presence wherever he went," said Micky Sartoretto.

"Everyone always remembers Michael. Not because he was the tallest guy in the room, but because of his personality and the way he touched people."

"Pretty much anything that came out of that guy's mouth would make me laugh and pretty much anyone around. Just a great person, great athlete and just a great friend," added James Delayer.

His friends said Doan was an outgoing person who was enjoying life living in Chicago.

The tragic news of his passing is still hard for many to comprehend, but good memories are top of mind during this difficult time.

"You obviously start to remember things and I remember a game in Manitoulin where one of our players were challenged and you don't often have the goalie sticking up for your players, but Mike wasn't shy when it came to protecting his teammates," recalled Jamie Henderson, who coached Doan when he played for the Soo Thunderbirds.

Sault Ste. Marie has rallied around the Doan family by generously donating to a Go Fund Me page.

More than $30,000 has been raised in just over 48 hours.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the city of Sault Ste. Marie and everyone who has contributed to this point," said Mike Maniacco, a childhood friend of Doan.

"I'm at a loss for words and I know the Doan family is as well."

Maniacco said all of the money raised will go to Doan's family to help pay for funeral and other expenses associated with his untimely death.

Funeral services for Doan will take place this weekend.