ST PAUL, Minn. — A St. Paul teen died on Christmas Day after suffering a stroke earlier this month, according to a post from a youth hockey organization he previously played with.
Cormick Scanlan, a sophomore at Cretin-Derham Hall, died Sunday night "peacefully" and "surrounded by family," a social media post from the St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association read.
The hockey association said Cormick had a stroke earlier this month. It was later discovered he had moyamoya disease, which Mayo Clinic describes as a rare blood vessel disorder in which an artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed.
Cormick was part of the St. Paul Capitals hockey organization from mini-mites to Bantams.
"Our strength is with the Scanlans and all who love Cormick," the hockey association's post read. "Rest in peace."
"I can still see him barreling down the ice, beating the defenseman wide, and driving the puck hard to the net," said Cormick's Bantam AA coach Dane Erickson in a statement on the hockey association's website.
Cretin-Derham Hall also issued a statement following Scanlan's death, calling him an "outstanding student" and "bright young man," who "impacted so many."
"It is with deep sadness that we share that one of our students, sophomore Cormick (Mick) Scanlan, died December 25, 2022 from complications from a stroke he suffered earlier this month. Please keep Cormick’s family, especially his parents, Joe ‘94 and Heather, and siblings, Colin (senior, Cretin-Derham Hall), Brynn (8th grade, Holy Spirit) and Sloane (5th grade, Holy Spirit), in your prayers during this heart-breaking time.
Cormick was an outstanding student and a proud Raider, playing football, baseball, and hockey. He and his family are parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish, where he attended elementary school.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mick, yet our faith makes us confident that he is in the loving arms of Jesus. As a community, we stand alongside his family and friends as we all mourn the loss of this bright young man who has impacted so many,” reflected Frank Miley, President.
Matt Funk, Athletic Director, said, “Cormick was a hardworking kid who was a fierce competitor and outstanding teammate. He led by example and modeled our Culture Creates Champions motto in everything he did. His impact was felt through our entire school community and he will be greatly missed.”
Principal Mona Passman noted that a special CDH prayer service is being planned to celebrate Mick’s life when students return to school after break. More information and funeral arrangements will be shared in the upcoming days. Out of concern for our school community, she will have counselors and campus ministers available to assist students and staff. Students and staff are encouraged to seek support as we process this very difficult news."
Cretin-Derham Hall is heartbroken over the tragic loss of Cormick this week. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
In the most recent post on a CaringBridge site for Cormick, his mother Heather wrote, "There is something beautiful about him starting his heavenly journey on Christmas. We are thankful for the time Mick granted family and friends to visit one last time... Words cannot express how much joy Cormick brought his family. We are heartbroken."
According to a Dec. 15 CaringBridge update, before his surgery students and hockey players at CDH shaved their heads in solidarity with Cormick. "We had a chance to show him the pictures in pre-op and he smiled big. It really brightened our spirits as we wait for the surgery to be done," the post read.
A GoFundMe page created to raise money for Cormick's family following his first stroke has raised nearly $15,000 as of Tuesday morning.
"It's been very heartwarming to see everyone in the broader Minnesota community — as far as Moorhead — reaching out; the hockey community specifically, reaching out, letting them know we're in their thoughts and prayers," said Funk, who is also Cretin-Derham Hall's boys hockey coach. "It just goes to show the power of being a part of a community and being a part of sports and activities, and what those can do to bring the group together for the greater good."
Funk added that Cormick was a three-sport athlete, but that his impact went beyond athletics.
"Cormick was someone who was very involved in our community," he said. "He played three sports, he was involved in volunteering and heavily involved in other aspects of CDH as a school. So, Cormick inspired a lot of people in his life, and to see those people inspired, to come back and to give back to Cormick in his memory, has been truly inspirational for me as a coach and admin at CDH."
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