TORONTO (AP) - A former U.S. college hockey star's organs have been donated
by his parents after he died from injuries suffered in an attack.

In a statement released Wednesday, Michael Serba's family said the organ
donations would allow their son's legacy to live on through the lives of
others.

Serba, a graduate student at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., died
Tuesday, and an autopsy was to take place in Toronto.

He had been on life support since being struck in the head with an unknown
object, possibly a brick, early Saturday morning after he left a bar.

The 25-year-old had been visiting over the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend from
Vermont's Norwich University.

Police say the attempted murder charge against 22-year-old Nicholas Crowdis
of Toronto is expected to be upgraded at his next court appearance Dec. 4.

Serba's family said he was "a bright, energetic and compassionate young man
who proved to be an inspiration to those who knew him."

"Out of this tragedy we are comforted that Michael's great many qualities of
strength, determination, compassion and goodness continue to shine through
beyond his life," the statement read.

"As an eligible organ donor, Michael's desire to help others, as he always
has, carries on."

"We know Michael is at peace and smiling down at us while offering this most
special gift."

Serba played four successful seasons with the Norwich Cadets.

The business major had been attending graduate school and expected to finish
his studies in the spring.

The crime cast a pall over the Cadets' victory over the weekend in the
championship game of the Primeline Great Northern Shootout tournament, where
the team rallied to defeat Plattsburgh State 4-2 Saturday at Norwich's
Kreitzberg Arena.

Norwich players hung Serba's No. 20 jersey over their bench. In the
traditional trip around the ice after the win, some players held the trophy
aloft, while others raised Serba's jersey.