Tragedy struck the Long Island high school hockey community on Saturday, November 30, 2024, when 17-year-old Connor Kasin, a senior at Massapequa High School, died after experiencing a sudden medical event during a charity ice hockey game12.
Connor Kasin, a defenseman for the Sharks Elite Youth Hockey team, was participating in a charity match at the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center in Bethpage, New York13. During an intermission at approximately 9 p.m., Kasin suddenly lost consciousness on the ice4. Bystanders immediately began performing CPR until paramedics and police arrived at the scene2.
Despite the swift response and continued efforts by emergency personnel, Kasin was transported to a nearby hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead14.
The news of Kasin’s untimely death has deeply affected the Massapequa community and the broader Long Island youth hockey circle5. Massapequa Public Schools Superintendent William Brennan described Kasin as “a cherished member of our school community, known for his kindness, positivity, enthusiasm, and big smile”6.
In response to this tragedy:
- Massapequa High School offered counseling services to students, staff, and families to help cope with the loss6.
- The New York Islanders High School Hockey League canceled all games scheduled for Sunday, December 1, out of respect for Kasin and his family5.
- Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino ordered all American flags at town facilities to be flown at half-staff in honor of Kasin5.
- The New York Islanders NHL team extended their condolences via social media6.
Connor Kasin was a 6-foot-2, 195-pound defenseman who played for both the Long Island Sharks club team and Massapequa High School’s varsity and junior varsity teams8. He was known for his positive attitude and ability to bring joy to those around him6.
The game in which Kasin was participating was part of the New York Islanders High School Hockey League. It was a charity match held in honor of Sabrina Navaetta, a 19-year-old Syosset High School graduate who had died in a car crash in Delaware in 202318.
Nassau County Police have stated that while the investigation is ongoing, there is no suspicion of criminality in Kasin’s death26. The exact nature of the medical event that led to his passing has not been disclosed.
This incident marks the first hockey-related fatality involving a New York high school athlete in recent memory8. It has sent shockwaves through the local and broader hockey community, prompting discussions about player safety and emergency preparedness in youth sports.
As the Massapequa community mourns the loss of Connor Kasin, his memory will undoubtedly live on through the impact he made both on and off the ice. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
