A tragic incident unfolded on a Long Island ice rink during a charity hockey game when a 17-year-old player, Connor Kasin, collapsed and later died. The Massapequa High School senior was participating in a game held in memory of a fellow student who had died in a car accident the previous year. The game took place at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage on Saturday evening.
Kasin, who was a member of the Sharks Elite Youth Hockey team, suffered a sudden medical event during an intermission and lost consciousness on the ice. Several spectators rushed to his aid, performing CPR while awaiting the arrival of emergency services. The Nassau County Police Department confirmed these details in a press release.
Following the incident, Kasin was rushed to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The exact cause of the medical event that led to his collapse remains unknown. The police department is investigating the incident, but they have stated that no criminal activity is suspected.
The news of Kasin’s death was announced by Massapequa High School in a letter to students and families. The school expressed its deep condolences to Kasin’s family and friends, describing his passing as a devastating loss for the community. Grief counseling services will be made available to students in the coming week.
The charity hockey game was held in honor of Sabrina Navaretta, a Syosset graduate who died in a car crash last year. The event was organized by a foundation in Navaretta’s name to raise scholarship funds and provide support to parents grieving the loss of their children. Navaretta’s parents, John and Mara, expressed their heartbreak over Kasin’s death and extended their condolences to his family.
Kasin’s travel hockey team, the Sharks Elite Youth Hockey, confirmed his death on social media. His coach, Jeff Tempone, described Kasin as a coach’s dream and a beloved member of the team. He expressed his devastation over the loss of a young player who had his whole life ahead of him.
The New York Islanders, a professional hockey team, also expressed their condolences to Kasin’s family, friends, and teammates. They acknowledged Kasin as a beloved member of the Massapequa and Long Island Hockey community and extended their thoughts to those affected during this difficult time.