One thing that can always be said about the hockey community is that teams can be the fiercest rivals on the ice, but in times of tragedy, nobody comes together quite like hockey people.

People in the Long Island hockey community know this very well. In the days and weeks since the unexpected and sudden passing of Connor Kasin during a charity hockey game on Nov. 30, the outpouring of support for the family and friends of the beloved teen has been beyond impressive.

Kasin was a senior at Massapequa High School heading into his final high school season when he suddenly fell to the ice during the first period intermission. Despite the gallant efforts of quick-acting rink staff on hand and EMTs who quickly arrived at the Oyster Bay Skating Center in Bethpage, the 17-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Family and friends have taken solace in the fact that Connor died doing what he loved best. He started his play through the Town of Oyster Bay’s Learn to Play program and then progressed through the ranks of travel hockey, most recently playing with the Long Island Sharks 18U team.

But wearing the uniform as a long-time member of the Massapequa Chiefs gave Connor the most pride.

“He loved representing his school and representing his town. He loved being a part of the school,” said Vincent Papasodero, the vice president of operations for the New York Islanders High School Hockey League, whose daughter played with Connor before graduating two years ago. 

“I’m not taking anything away from travel hockey or the Sharks, but he was so proud to play for his school. He was really looking forward to his senior season playing on the school team. Travel hockey is great, but nothing beats high school hockey. You’re playing for your town. You’re wearing your town’s colors. You’re playing for your school. You’re playing with your friends and your classmates. It’s the one thing that really sets us apart from travel hockey.”

No matter what team or league they played for, the hockey community was out in force to pay their respects at Connor’s funeral. According to onlookers, the line outside the Massapequa Funeral Home wrapped around the building and down a side street, with people wanting to pay their respects. Among those in attendance was Islanders owner Jon Ledecky, who was joined by numerous youth hockey players adorned in their team jerseys. 

Several Islanders players sent flowers and condolences to the family of lifelong Islanders fans, including forward Matt Martin, who sent his jersey with a message written on the back. 

“It was really impressive to see that level of outreach,” Papasodero said. “It’s what puts hockey above every other sport out there, in my opinion.”

In addition to the support from the hockey community, there was also a large turnout of local and state police departments. Connor’s father, Craig, as well as his grandfather, Bruce, are retired Nassau County police officers.  

The Chiefs were scheduled to play their first league game the night after the tragedy. That game was postponed for two weeks as the community tried to come to grips with the loss of their friend and teammate. They returned to the ice on Dec. 13 to face off against Long Beach, a team that had dealt with their share of tragedy when 18-year-old Gerrin Hagen was struck and killed by a car while riding his skateboard last year.  

The game was originally slated to take place at the Long Beach Municipal Ice Arena but was moved back to Oyster Bay where a capacity crowd packed the building to show their support.

Among those in attendance were members of Hagen’s family along with the family of Sabrina Navaretta, a graduate of Syosset High School who died in a car accident in April 2023. The charity game Connor and his teammates were playing in was to raise money for a scholarship in her honor.

Long Beach wound up winning the game, but that barely mattered to those in attendance. Looking up after the final buzzer, onlookers were stunned to see the numbers 3 and 7 lit up on the scoreboard. It just so happened that was Connor’s uniform number.