“Play for Patrick” Foundation gives heart screenings to over 250 kids at hockey tournament

Eight years after their son’s sudden death on a hockey rink, a Minnesota family is continuing to make a difference through heart screening events.

Volunteers screened over 250 athletes and their siblings in Apple Valley on Saturday before the “Play for Patrick” hockey tournament, hosted by Eastview and Eagan High Schools.

Patrick Schoonover collapsed on a hockey rink in 2014, suffering from two heart defects that led to sudden cardiac arrest. He did not survive.

Patrick’s dad started the Play for Patrick Foundation, which has screened over 4,000 kids over the years. The screenings have identified 260 kids with heart defects that could cause cardiac arrest, and 250 kids with high blood pressure.

Saturday’s event marked the 26th heart screening the Foundation has done, as well as the 8th hockey tournament it has hosted.