ST. LOUIS — The Liberty Eagles Hockey Club and the Wentzville Liberty High School community are mourning the loss of standout hockey player Zachary “Zach” Pruss, who died following a motorcycle accident. He was 18.
Head coach Mark Turnipseed announced Pruss’ death Sunday in a social media post, describing the young athlete as “smart, strong, and an impactful leader in his own way.”
“The news that one of my players has died is unfathomable,” Turnipseed wrote. “Zach left one hell of a mark on this hockey club and on this world.” He also extended his condolences to the Pruss family, asking the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
Pruss, who was born in 2008, played forward for the Liberty Eagles and was listed on the team’s 2025–26 varsity roster. His mother, Johanna Frey Pruss, also shared the heartbreaking news on social media, writing, “I can’t believe my boy is gone,” and asking members of the hockey community to honor her son with a traditional “sticks out for Zach” tribute.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released preliminary details about the motorcycle crash. However, officials have not released additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident or whether any other vehicles were involved.
The crash remains under investigation, and no further details have been made public.
