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The family of Jayden Dalke, the captain of the Saskatchewan Roughriders who died in a collision on Highway 11 over the weekend, says they are mourning the loss of their loved one.
Dalke, 30, and Bhishma Rajyaguru, a 22-year-old Regina man, were both killed Saturday on the highway between Lumsden and Regina.
According to Saskatchewan RCMP, Dahlke was driving on the wrong side of the highway and had cannabis and alcohol in his SUV when the vehicles collided around 9 p.m.
In a statement to Global News, Dahlke’s family said he was “deeply loved and will be missed in words.”
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and everyone who knew Jayden,” Dahlke’s family said.
“Jayden has given generously to his community and the organizations he cares about.”
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Saskatchewan Roughriders’ CJ Avery (35), left, hugs teammate Jayden Dalke (38) as they celebrate their victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th CFL Gray Cup in Winnipeg on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
The 30-year-old from Leduc, near Edmonton, first joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears in 2019 and was named the 2019 All-Canadian Player of the Season.
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The Roughriders selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft. He signed in May 2022.
Dahlke played 17 regular-season games for the Riders last year to prepare for the Gray Cup.
Instead of leaving flowers or gifts for the linebacker, the family asked that donations be made to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation in his memory.
“We also mourn the heartbreaking loss of Bhishma Rajyaguru and extend our deepest condolences to his family,” the Dalke family said.
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Bhishma Rajyaguru, 22, moved to Canada from the Indian state of Gujarat two years ago.
Courtesy of Saskatchewan RCMP.
Raijaguru came to Canada in 2022 as an international student. He comes from the Indian state of Gujurat.
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His loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to bring his body back home to India. He reached his fundraising goal Tuesday.
Dahlke’s family thanked Rider Nation for its love and support and asked for privacy as they grieve “this unimaginable loss.”
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CFL player Jayden Dalke dies in double crash
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