#PlayForPatrick

14 year old Patrick Schoonover, a Bantam AA player from Eagan, Minnesota collapsed and died Friday shortly after the start of a game in Brainerd, Minnesota. A paramedic on site attended to him on the ice and CPR was performed when emergency medical personnel arrived according to the Brainerd Police. He was taken to Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center but could not be revived.

Patrick Schoonover

His family issued the following statement:

“He passed away unexpectedly playing the game he loved so much. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the Eastview and Minnesota 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 teammates. He loved all of you. We ask for our privacy from the media at this time.”

The Minnesota Wild held a moment of silence for Patrick prior to tonight's game against the Winnipeg Jets, as have many youth hockey teams across the state yesterday and today.

Playing today on his 12th birthday is peewee Matthew Schoonover, who is wearing his older brother Patrick's jersey, today's honorary "featured jersey".

Matthew Schoonover

This all hits very close to home for us at Third String Goalie, as our 11 year old Squirt just had his first game of the season on Saturday, has played in that arena in Brainerd and will return there again this February. We simply cannot imagine the shock and grief his family must be feeling at such a tragic, sudden and shocking loss.

Patrick certainly loved his hockey, as evidenced by his cover photo from his Facebook page.

Rest in Peace Patrick