New York high school hockey player Connor Kasin, 17, dead after collapsing on ice during memorial game
A Long Island teen has died after losing consciousness on the ice during a charity hockey game in honor of a fellow high school student who died in a car crash last year.
Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old senior at Massapequa High School, suffered a “medical event” and passed out on the ice during an intermission of the hockey game at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage around 9 p.m. Saturday, according to News 12 Long Island.
Multiple “civilians” at the game rushed onto the ice and performed CPR on the teen while waiting for first responders, the Nassau County Police Department said in a press release.
Kasin was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of the medical episode is still unknown.
Nassau police said they are still investigating the incident but noted there was “no criminality suspected.”
Kasin played for the Sharks Elite Youth Hockey team when the medical episode occurred.
Massapequa High School announced the death of Kasin in a letter to students and families over the weekend.
“It is heartbreaking to report that Connor did not survive. His passing is devastating to the Massapequa community, and we offer our deepest condolences to Connor’s family and friends,” the letter said.
School officials said grief counseling will be available to students this week.
The teen collapsed during the charity match in honor of a Syosset graduate, Sabrina Navaretta, who died in a car crash last year.
The game was held by a foundation in Navaretta’s name to raise scholarship money and offer support to grieving parents whose children have passed.
Navaretta’s parents, John and Mara, released a statement on Kasin’s tragic death and offered their condolences to the hockey star’s family.
“There are no words to convey our heartbreak that we feel as last night was supposed to be a fun night. The community came together to celebrate Sabrina’s life and our family’s commitment to help with scholarship, dog rescue and assisting grieving parents,” they said, according to CBS News.
“We would like the Kasin family to know our commitment to you. Connor was there to play for Sabrina and our family is here for you. Please take the time to grieve and be kind to yourself as the waves of grief can knock you over. John and I are here for you when you are ready.”
Kasin’s travel hockey team, Sharks Elite Youth Hockey, also posted on Facebook Sunday confirming his death.
His coach, Jeff Tempone, called his player’s death “devastating.”
“He was a coach’s dream. You coach him and he loved the game. It’s missing someone. It’s missing someone very special,” Tempone told CBS News.
“Probably in the best shape on the team, as far as being physical, and was just a great kid, highly coachable kid, always encouraging his teammates on the bench.”
“It was devastating. It’s a 17-year-old kid — has his whole life ahead of him,” Tempone said.
After the news of his death, the New York Islanders organization offered its “deepest condolences” to Kasin’s family, friends and teammates.
“The New York Islanders extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Connor Kasin, a beloved member of the Massapequa and Long Island Hockey community,” the professional hockey team posted on Instagram Sunday night.
“Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
