Yukoner Jared Tuton is already known for his skill and character in hockey circles, but on the Labour Day weekend, the Merritt Centennials defenceman proved his character extends outside of the sports world.

Tuton and four of his Cents teammates assisted in the rescue of two people following a plane crash in Shuswap Lake on the Labour Day weekend.

Cents captain Mike Ewanchuk, defenceman Dave Simoes and forwards Dan Hill and Wayne Wittal were boating with Tuton on the Shuswap on Saturday, Sept. 3, when a small private plane failed in its takeoff attempt.

The plane flipped end over end, went nose first into the lake and quickly began to sink.

Tuton and Ewanchuk jumped into the water to help the two occupants of the plane, who managed to jump out of the plane into the lake, while the other three teammates tried to keep the plane afloat by tying a rope to it. The plane wasn't able to be saved, however.

Simoes told a Merritt newspaper the plane's occupants were lucky they managed to get out of the plane, or it could have been a lot worse.

He called it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tuton was not available for comment by press time, as he was taking part in team practice.

Meanwhile, Tuton and the Centennials stumbled out of the start gate as they opened their British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) season at home this past weekend.

The junior A Cents faced off with the Prince George Sprice Kings last Friday, tieing the game with just over a minute remaining before losing in an exciting double-overtime contest, 4-3.

On Saturday, they took on the Quesnel Millionaires and lost once again, 5-3.

This weekend, the team is on the road, paying a visit to Salmon Arm Friday and Vernon Saturday.

Tuton is in his second season with the Centennials, after receiving an award for rookie of the year in 2004-05.