The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation announced today a statewide effort to make Minnesota hockey arenas Heart Safe by donating FREE Lifepak CR2 WiFi enabled automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and three years of service and maintenance to rinks that do not currently have a working or up to date device.
This initiative, part of the Play For Patrick Heart Safe Arenas Project, aims to ensure that every player, coach, official, and spectator has immediate access to lifesaving equipment in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
The project honors Patrick Schoonover, a 14-year-old Eastview hockey player who tragically suffered sudden cardiac arrest on November 14, 2014, at the Brainerd Arena during the Blue Ox Bantam AA tournament. Moments after scoring his first Bantam AA goal, Patrick collapsed on the ice. The medical examiner later found he had two undiagnosed heart defects.
In the wake of their loss, the Schoonover family created the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak. Through its Play For Patrick program, the foundation provides free heart screenings for youth ages 13–24, teaches hands only CPR and AED awareness, and donates AEDs to schools and communities across Minnesota.“
“Patrick was always a protector. Placing AEDs, especially in hockey rinks throughout the state, helps us feel Patrick is still doing so,” the Schoonover family shared.
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Play For Patrick Statistics
From August 2015 to May 2026, the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation conducted 44 Play for Patrick heart screens. Screened 7,802 kids, found 558 with elevated blood pressure (with repeated check), 418 with abnormal electrical or structural heart defects, taught 6,886 kids & adults CPR & AED awareness and donated 28 AEDs to area schools.
#Playwithheart
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Beginning in September, the Schoonover’s will personally deliver AEDs to arenas across Minnesota. This marks the first phase of a long-term effort to ensure every hockey facility in the state is equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies. The foundation encourages coaches, players, parents, and rink staff to learn hands only CPR and AED awareness—simple skills that dramatically increase survival rates.
“Making arenas Heart Safe is something every community can rally behind,” said Mike Schoonover, Director of the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation. “An AED and a few minutes of training can be the difference between life and death.”
PLAY FOR PATRICK HEART SAFE ARENAS — PHASE ONE RECIPIENTS
| The following Minnesota hockey arenas will receive a Lifepak CR2 WiFi-enabled AED and three years of service and maintenance: Arena Name | City / Location |
| Bud King Ice Arena | Winona, MN |
| Cardin Hunt Arena | Red Lake Falls, MN |
| Champlin Ice Forum | Champlin, MN |
| Cottage Grove Ice Arena | Cottage Grove, MN |
| Delano Area Sports Arena | Delano, MN |
| First National Arena | Bemidji, MN |
| Fogerty Arena | Blaine, MN |
| Furniture and Things Community Event Center | Elk River, MN |
| Graham Arena Complex | Rochester, MN |
| Minnesota Made Ice Center Valley View | Edina, MN |
| Moose Sherritt Arena | Monticello, MN |
| NorthStar Ford Arena | Hermantown, MN |
| Nymore Gardens | Bemidji, MN |
| Pine City Civic Center | Pine City, MN |
| Polar Arena | North St. Paul, MN |
| Red Baron Arena and Expo | Marshall, MN |
| Redwood Area Community Center | Redwood Falls, MN |
| Sanford Health Rink | Bemidji, MN |
| Shattuck St. Mary’s – The Putrah Sports Complex | Faribault, MN |
| St. Croix Valley Recreation Center | Stillwater, MN |
| Tartan Arena | Oakdale, MN |
| TruStone Center | Rogers, MN |
| Veterans Memorial Arena | West Fargo, ND |
| Warroad Memorial Arena | Warroad, MN |
To learn more about the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation visit https://playforpatrick.org/