Touching Tribute on Ice
It was quite the moment.
A 12-year-old hockey player from Long Island, who lost his older brother—a standout varsity player—due to a rare heart ailment, was granted a memorable experience by the Islanders. He got to skate at center ice before a game against the Senators.
Cole Cashin from Massapequa confessed he felt “really nervous at first” after giving a fist bump to Bo Horvat during the national anthem. “Then I went outside and it was awesome,” he said, clearly excited, dressed in blue and orange braces.
His brother, Connor Keishin, was a beloved 17-year-old Chiefs defenseman and ardent Isles fan. His sudden passing in 2024 left a mark on the hockey community. Connor was known for his hard-hitting style, combined with a kind heart.
Cole reflected on how Connor would have been “so jealous” to be on the ice at UBS Arena.
Connor’s tragic death occurred during a break in a charity game due to an undiagnosed heart condition, specifically arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. He had been unaware of any issues before it happened.
In the wake of their loss, the Keishin family transformed their grief into action by establishing a foundation in Connor’s honor. The aim? To make electrocardiograms standard in school sports, potentially saving lives and preventing similar tragedies.
A pilot program launched in February to test Massapequa hockey players was so successful that now the entire school is scheduled for electrocardiograms on May 16th.
Cole’s special skate came with a joint effort to raise funds, with proceeds from a raffle benefiting the Connor Cashin Memorial Foundation, which is expanding its reach nationally.
Teaming up with both the Islanders and Chiefs would have been a dream come true for Connor.
“He always wore Islanders gear. If it wasn’t Chiefs apparel, it was Isles stuff,” shared Bobby Foran, a close friend of Connor’s, now a member of the foundation working on fundraising.
“I’m sure he’s smiling down on this.”
Before the game even started, nearly $21,000 was raised, and by the third period, that figure had soared to nearly $47,600.
“Before the puck dropped, we heard that $15,000 was optimistic,” said Cole’s father, Craig Cashin, visibly amazed by the generosity. He, along with his wife Mary and numerous local hockey families, rallied on the concourse, ringing cowbells to encourage donations.
“This is really incredible, given the positive impact he’s had,” Craig remarked, sharing his admiration for the hockey team, which clearly holds a special place in their hearts.
The Islanders have embraced the Cashin family since Connor’s passing. He was an inspiration for players like Matt Martin, known for his physical style.
Craig recalled that one of the highlights of Connor’s life was meeting Isles owner John Ledecky and getting an autographed puck following the Islanders’ win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Ledecky also attended Connor’s service. Cole plans to honor his brother by wearing jersey number 37 and maintaining a positive spirit both on and off the rink.
“We’re fortunate to coach someone like Cole,” said Brett Ansbacher, the Chiefs middle school coach, who brought along about a dozen of Cole’s closest friends for support. “He always brings such a great attitude and a smile.”
