BRAINERD, Minn. – A 14-year-old youth hockey player died Friday after collapsing on the ice during a bantam tournament game Friday at Essentia Health Center ice arena in Brainerd.
The Brainerd Police Department reported officers and emergency medical personnel responded to the arena about 4:25 p.m. after receiving a report that a player had gone unconscious during a hockey game. The boy was identified as Patrick Schoonover, an Eastview player. The family responded Saturday with a message on the Eastview hockey website: "We lost our son Patrick last night. He passed away unexpectedly playing the game he loved so much. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the Eastview and MN hockey communities to our family. We want to thank his coach, first responders and the staff at St. Joseph's for doing everything they could to help Patrick and for providing comfort to our family. We appreciate all of you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Patrick's coaches and team mates. He loved all of you. We ask for our privacy from the media at this time. Thank you. ~The Schoonover family" The incident happened during a Battle for the Blue Ox Bantam AA tournament game between Eastview and Wayzata. The player collapsed on the ice during play, the police department reported, and a paramedic present immediately responded and began to administer aid. When police and emergency medical services arrived, CPR was initiated. Schoonover was transported by ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, police reported. Brainerd High School Principal Andrea Rusk said the Eastview-Wayzata game was after following the incident, and all other Friday night events at the arena, including Brainerd High School boys hockey practice and the Brainerd/Little Falls girls hockey game against River Lakes, were postponed. Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association board members and officials with Youth Hockey Hub, which promoted the tournament, could not be reached for comment. Rusk said BAHA officials were meeting to determine whether to continue with the youth hockey tournament, which was scheduled to run through Sunday.
