Patrick Schoonover had heart defects, says his father

The Schoonover family of Eagan stood arm in arm Sunday evening at the Hayes Arena in Apple Valley to talk hockey and to talk about their son and brother, Patrick Schoonover, 14, who collapsed and died Friday during a game in Brainerd, Minn.

Mike Schoonover said the medical examiner's office told him that Patrick died from heart defects, not a hit and fall he took early in the game.

"We didn't know anything about it," the grieving father said. "It didn't show up in any physicals. He never complained of chest pains or anything.

"He had a big heart. It just wasn't made for hockey, I guess."

Mike and his wife, Gayle, along with daughters Anna and Abby and son, Matthew, met with reporters after Matthew and his Eastview Peewee teammates took part in a scrimmage against Eagan, winning 7 to 1. Matthew wore his brother's jersey, number 96.

The scrimmage also was a celebration of Matthew's 12th birthday. A crowd of about 500 parents, children, students, players and community members sang "Happy Birthday" before the scrimmage. Then both teams observed a moment of silence to honor Patrick, and the only sound that was heard was the hum of the arena's compressor.

"Let's play hockey!" the announcer boomed

Mike Schoonover spent the game in the coaches' box, offering a friendly word or hug to the players. Afterward, he and his family soaked up the hugs and condolences of dozens of friends who had come to the arena to support them.

"This was just an extra-special day for the kids," Mike Schoonover said. "It was extremely important. Matthew and I were talking this morning about the scrimmage. I could have taken or left it. I asked him if he wanted to play and he said, 'Absolutely!'

"It was good for me," he said. "It was good for all of us."

Schoonover said his eldest son was "a true leader … both in the locker room and on the ice.

"I think he's changed a lot of people. The acts of kindness we've seen from the community, the comments people have made, everything that's on social media, that's made quite an impact. That's all Patrick."

The outpouring of grief and support from all levels of Minnesota athletics for the Schoonovers and for hockey has been tremendous in the two days since Patrick died. It could be seen in the hugs Sunday, in the social media postings and tweets throughout the weekend, and in the statements from associations and individuals.

Patrick, an eighth-grader at Black Hawk Middle School in Eagan, had played with the Eastview Hockey Association since he was small. The Eastview Bantam AA team was playing Wayzata on Friday afternoon at the Essentia Health Sports Center (formerly the Brainerd Area Civic Center). Shortly after the start of the game, Patrick collapsed.

Mike Schoonover said he initially thought Patrick had gotten a head or neck injury from a hit, but learned later that wasn't the case. The teenager was taken to Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, but could not be revived. The 16-team bantam hockey tournament was canceled, as was a high school girls' hockey game scheduled at the arena later in the evening.

The Ramsey County medical examiners office performed the autopsy.

On Sunday, many in the crowd at the Hayes Arena wore Eastview hockey jerseys with the name Schoonover taped over their own name.

That meant a lot to the family, Mike Schoonover said.

"Seeing all the kids supporting our players and supporting Matthew and just being together, seeing everybody interact with each other, and smiling and cheering. It was a fun time out there. We miss Patrick, dearly, but it is what it is. It's a special day."

Staff writer Paul Walsh contributed to this report. Pat Pheifer • 952-746-3284