Father: Heart Defects Caused Son’s Death

BRAINERD (AP) - The father of a 14-year-old Minnesota boy who collapsed while playing hockey says his son died from heart defects.

Mike Schoonover says the medical examiner told his family that the death of his son, Patrick, wasn't due to any hits or a fall he took while playing for an Eastview Youth Hockey team in Brainerd Friday.

The boy's father says those heart defects never showed up in any physicals and his son never complained of chest pains.

The Schoonover family attended a hockey scrimmage Sunday evening where Patrick's brother, Matthew, wore his sibling's jersey during the game.  A moment of silence for Patrick was observed before the scrimmage. The crowd also sang "Happy Birthday" to Matthew, who turned 12.