Youth hockey player dies after collapse during game

A 14-year-old Eastview bantam hockey player died in Brainerd on Friday after ­collapsing during a game.

The player, who has not yet been identified, collapsed on the ice at the Essentia Health Sports Center (formerly the Brainerd Area Civic Center) shortly after the start of the game, according to a release from the Brainerd Police Department.

At about 4:25 p.m., Brainerd police and emergency medical personnel responded to a report that the player was unconscious. A paramedic present had already begun to administer aid, and CPR was initiated when Emergency Medical Services responded, according to the release.

The player, who was on an Eastview Youth Hockey team playing against Wayzata, was transported to Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, the release said.

The 16-team Battle for the Blue Ox Bantam Hockey Tournament was canceled following the incident, as was a high school girls' hockey game scheduled at the arena for later in the evening.

Wayzata coach Nate Hagemo said his team expresses its condolences to the player's family and the Dakota County-based Eastview team. "It was a really sad situation to witness," he said.

A board member on the Eastview Youth Hockey Association said it wasn't commenting on the death, but the association sent out a message confirming that a player had died, adding: "We do not know the cause of death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

Classmates and friends shared an outpouring of condolences on social media. And even the Minnesota Wild hockey team sent a statement, saying the team "joins the State of Hockey in mourning the tragic passing of a Bantam hockey player today in Brainerd. Our hearts and prayers go out to the player's family, friends and teammates."

emma.nelson@startribune.com • 952-746-3287 kelly.smith@startribune.com • 612-673-4141