Patrick and his Eastview teammates were playing in the Blue Ox Hockey Bantam AA Tournament in Brainerd, MN. Patrick scored the game’s first goal and collapsed moments later on the ice. First responders were unable to revive him. It was later determined Patrick had numerous heart defects that caused his early death.

Patrick was a fun-loving teenager who is loved and respected by many. Patrick was a gentle giant. He was the “anti-bully” at school and stood up for those who could not. He made kids feel welcome with his smile and kindness. He was a great teammate and brought laughter and life to the locker room. He will forever be missed but never forgotten, and his legacy will live forever through the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation and Play for Patrick Heart Screens.

The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation was created to honor and remember Patrick Schoonover who passed away at the age of 14, due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), caused by undetected heart defects. The goal of the foundation is to bring SCA awareness, education, prevention and eliminate SCA in kids.

SCA is the leading cause of death among student athletes. The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation offers Free Heart screens for ALL kids 14-24 throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area regardless of race, gender, income, or demographics.

Play For Patrick Heart Screens include checking of; Height/Weight, Blood Pressure, EKG (electrical current of the heart), Echocardiogram (video of the structure of the heart), Physician consultation and hands only CPR & AED training.

The foundation relies on volunteers to help with each event. Up to 100 medical & non-medical volunteers are needed to make the screens happen.

The donations received will help the foundation pay for the medical & non-medical supplies and equipment, lunch, refreshments, t-shirts for volunteers, as well as AEDs that are given to the host high school or club. The foundation does not have paid staff, so all donations are used for screening young hearts.