A teenage athlete died during a charity hockey game benefitting one of his deceased teammates, News 12 Long Island reported.
Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old senior at Massapequa High School, collapsed on the ice after suffering a “medical event” at around 9 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage, NY. Several bystanders rushed onto the ice to assist Kasin and perform CPR, but to no avail. The teenager was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It is heartbreaking to report that Connor did not survive,” the school said in a letter to students and parents. “His passing is devastating to the Massapequa community, and we offer our deepest condolences to Connor’s family and friends.”
The Nassau County Police Department said in a statement that they are still actively investigating Kasin’s death, but there is “no criminality suspected.”
Kasin died during a charity hockey game honoring Syosset graduate Sabrina Navaretta, who passed away in a car accident last year. The match was intended to raise money for scholarships and find support for parents who had lost children.
“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,” Navaretta’s parents told CBS News of Kasin’s death.
“We would like the Kasin family to know our commitment to you," the statement continued. 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. [We] are here for you when you are ready.”
