Hockey community mourns Massapequa teen who died during charity game

Police say Connor Kasin was one of the players in Saturday night's benefit game in honor of a Syosset High School graduate who died in a 2023 car crash.

Logan Crawford and News 12 Staff

Dec 2, 2024, 3:44 AM

Updated 1 hr ago

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Long Island's hockey community came together Sunday to mourn for the Massapequa teen who died after a "medical event" during a charity ice hockey game.
Police say Connor Kasin was one of the players in Saturday night's benefit game in honor of a Syosset High School graduate who died in a 2023 car crash.
Police say 17-year-old Kasin fainted during an intermission.
News 12 was told that people who were watching the game began CPR until medics arrived.
Kasin later died at the hospital.
There was a different hockey game played Sunday night at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Rink in Bethpage. News 12 spoke with a player who said the whole community is mourning.
"It's just so sad. He was so young. He was 17. Hockey is such a small community that you feel every loss, it hurts. It's just awful, especially close to the holidays," said Nick Garrastegui, of Ronkonkoma.
The Massapequa varsity hockey coaches told News 12 in a statement that Connor was one of the most hardworking and spirited players on and off the ice.
The Massapequa School District will offer grief counseling to its students on Monday.
News 12 was told counselors will be available to students all week.
Students stopped by on Sunday to find support.
Some of Kasin's classmates said they are devastated.
"I'm hurt. I'm honestly still stunned by the actions I heard last night. And as a classmate, we all need to come together and pray for him. Pray for his loved ones. It's very sad. Heartbreaking," said Massapequa High School Senior William Sander.
In a letter send to the district community, the school says Kasin was known for his kindness, positivity, enthusiasm and big smile.
Funeral services for Kasin were announced Sunday.
The first visitation will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Massapequa Funeral Home.
A second wake service will be held Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A funeral will follow on Friday at the St. William The Abbot Church in Seaford.
it is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
A burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
The New York Islanders also posted a message to social media, extending the team's condolences.
The team says their thoughts are with Kasin's friends and family.