Hundreds of hockey players, all wearing jerseys emblazoned with “Big E” and the number 35, lined up on the ice at Compuware Arena in Plymouth Saturday.

After the singing of the Canadian and United States national anthems, the players pounded their sticks on the ice in unison, then raised them in salute to Ian Jenkins, the 15-year-old Milan High School sophomore who died May 23 after falling or jumping off a pickup truck and hitting his head.

The players of all ages and skill levels were gathered for memorial tribute games to Jenkins, who wore No. 35 and whose nickname was “Big E.” The shirts also bore Jenkins motto in life: “Have a purpose.”

It was a fitting tribute to a teen friends and family members said was not only a good hockey player but a good person as well.

"I'm overwhelmed at the support," said Theresa Jenkins, Ian’s grandmother, who came from Arizona to attend the ceremony and memorial hockey games. "Ian was a wonderful kid. He never bragged and was so humble."

Ian had signed a contract with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League the day before the May 19 accident. Jenkins died Monday, four days after he fell or jumped off a truck driven by a friend in Milan.

"He was an awesome goalie, and a very good kid," said Amy Waldo, whose husband Todd Waldo was one of Jenkins' hockey coaches.

Another of Jenkins' coaches, Mike Hamilton, helped organize today's event. "I was lucky enough to have coached Ian for six years, and it's an honor to organize this," said Hamilton. "Today is an opportunity to start to heal and keep Ian alive."

In addition to the hundreds of hockey players who came out in full equipment to play hockey, there were family and friends from the Milan community including students from Milan High School who knew Ian.

"Ian was always happy," said Milan High School student Ashley Botello. "He was always smiling."

"He was nice to everyone," said Andrew Eliason, also a student at Milan High School. "I'm here to remember him."

Hamilton led the opening ceremonies at what was called a "Celebration of Life." Ian's parents, Joel Jenkins and Gloria Montesanto were there along with Ian's sister Cassidy Jenkins and his brothers Garrett Jenkins and Lester Lancaster. Joel Jenkins and Ian's two brothers were dressed in their hockey attire.

Tim Hyland, Ian's godfather, came from Colorado Springs to attend the tribute. "What an incredible outpouring of love and support," Hyland said.

Theresa Jenkins said watching hundreds of hockey players salute Ian was a moving sight. "I was a hockey mom and can tell you the hockey community is like one big family,” she said. “It will be hard when everyone goes home."