Thousands remembered the teenage daughter of a popular NHL coach at a memorial service held in a hockey arena in Ottawa Wednesday, days after she took her own life in her family home.

Daron Richardson was the 14-year-old daughter of former Senators player and current assistant coach Luke Richardson.

Her mother found her in the basement of their family home on Friday, after she "tried to take her life by hanging," the team said in a recent statement.

She was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to her injuries.

On Wednesday morning, a two-hour memorial service was held for her at Scotiabank Place, the home arena of the Ottawa Senators.

Her family decided to have such a large public memorial to raise awareness of teen suicide and organ donation.

"The family chose the road that's less travelled, sometimes that road is more difficult, but it doesn't mean that's not the right path to choose," Cyril Leeder, Ottawa Senators team president, said. "They wanted to make something good happen out of a tragedy."

Many of her friends in the hockey community and her classmates from Ashbury College spoke at the service, CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem reported.

"We learned that she was a girl who always wanted to make a difference, she had a love of life and she had some really dear friends," said Lathem.

Richardson was remembered as someone who put a smile on people's faces when she walked into a room.

Terry Marcotte, the sports director at CTV Ottawa, said the stories at the service revealed that friendship came easily for Daron Richardson, who had connections from the many cities where her dad played during his NHL career.

Daron's friend Erin Sauve said she remembered "talking about being each other's bridesmaid (and) going to the Olympics."

Daron Richardson's friends now feel as if there is a "missing piece" in their lives, Marcotte said.

None of the Richardson family members spoke at the service.

"Their message was sent through others there…they wanted this day to be about Daron, not about suicide," Lathem reported from outside Scotiabank Place on Wednesday.

Daron Richardson's family is accepting donations to the Royal Ottawa Health Foundation's Youth Program in lieu of flowers.

The Senators postponed a trip to Raleigh, N.C., in order to attend the memorial service.

Senators general manager Brian Murray said "We are all devastated . . . and knowing Luke for as long as I have, it's personally devastating."

After the service, the hockey team will depart for North Carolina where they are due to play the Hurricanes on Wednesday evening.

Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson said hockey takes a back seat in this situation.

Earlier this week, head coach Cory Clouston told reporters that "everyone wanted to be here" for the service.

Daron Richardson is survived by her father Luke, her mother Stephanie, and her sister Morgan.

With files from The Canadian Press and reports from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem and CTV Ottawa's Terry Marcotte