A Long Island high school hockey player has tragically died after collapsing on the ice during a charity game set up in honor of a fellow student who died in a car crash.
Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old senior at Massapequa High School in Long Island, passed out on the ice during the intermission of a charity match held at Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage at around 9 pm on Saturday.
Connor was rushed to hospital after members of the crowd performed CPR on him until paramedics could arrive, but he was sadly pronounced dead.
The cause of his death is still unknown. Nassau police said its detectives are still investigating the incident, but noted there was ‘no criminality suspected.’
Kasin was playing for his high school’s team, the Massapequa Chiefs, at a match meant to celebrate the life of Sabrina Navaretta, a graduate of rival Syosset High School, when he tragically passed away.
His school said in a letter to parents and students: ‘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.’
Sabrina’s parents, meanwhile, said: ‘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.’
‘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.’
Connor’s travel team, Sharks Elite Youth Hockey, said on Sunday: ‘It is with a heavy heart the Sharks share the sudden passing of 18U defenseman, Connor Kasin. Please keep the Kasin family in your thoughts and prayers.’
His coach, Jeff Tempone, told CBS News: ‘He was a coach’s dream. You coach him and he loved the game. It’s missing someone. It’s missing someone very special.
‘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.
William Sander, a senior at the high school, called Conner ‘a good guy.’
‘I pray for him and pray for people around him. Honestly, it’s very sad and heartbreaking,’ he said.
Sabrina passed away last year in a tragic car crash in Newark when she was just 19.
Cops said Sabrina, who was sat in the front of one of the cars, was trapped and needed to be freed by firefighters.
Though she was taken to hospital, she later died of her injuries.
Since her death, her parents have set up a foundation in her honor, which raises money to assist grieving parents.
It also runs a scholarship to support students who want to work in causes including environmental preservation.