JAMES RAYMOND, News Editor

The club hockey team and the UB community were stunned this weekend when sophomore business major John Cavagnaro passed away suddenly Saturday morning.

Cavagnaro, 19, was found unresponsive in his room by his mother, though the exact cause of death has not been officially released.

According to The Buffalo News, Cavagnaro died of a known cardiac problem involving his heart valves, but the precise reason has not been pinpointed.

The student was known by family and friends to be a very outgoing, effervescent person.

"John was always the life of the party and he knew everybody at UB," said sophomore film studies major Mark DiLoreto, one of Cavagnaro's friends. "Without him I would not know as many people as I do."

Cavagnaro was originally from Getzville and graduated from Williamsville North High School. The sophomore worked at the Pepsi Arena and helped coach two local modified youth hockey programs in Buffalo. He also worked with the Buffalo Sabres and their mascot Sabre Tooth.

"It has been real tough and unexpected for all of his friends," DiLoreto said.

Residents in the Fargo Quad were notified of the death by Resident Assistants while moving back into the dorm on Sunday.

According to Joseph Metz, assistant head coach of the club hockey team, the coaches had not been told of the heart condition.

Every player of the club hockey team is required to receive a physical at the beginning of the season and under UB regulations needs to have health insurance. Cavagnaro received a physical and was given an okay to participate in club hockey.

"I remember him saying something about his heart but never thought it was this serious," DiLoreto said.

According to Vice President of Student Affairs Dennis Black, the school is offering counseling to students in the counseling center.

"We offer to meet with the students in either groups or individually," Black said.

Cavagnaro played on the UB club hockey team for two years.

"John was a fantastic and gifted hockey player," said Metz. "The team is saddened and mourned with the sudden loss of John," Metz said.

The club hockey team was on the road in Ohio when the team received news of the death. Head coach Matt Baumgarten gave the team the option of heading home, but the group decided that they would finish their game before heading home. They won the game against John Carroll University 5-2.

"The team was sent a letter and (Student Affairs) offered them assistance if needed," Black said.

However, the scheduled game against Duquesne University on Sunday was cancelled.

"John played hockey all the time and I didn't see him much during the hockey season," DiLoreto said.

The sophomore was not traveling with the team due to a wrist injury, which kept him from participating in game scenarios. The defenseman was practicing with the team and skated in the last practice before the team left for Ohio.

Cavagnaro attended the Buffalo Bandits game Friday night and then returned home to his family's house before passing away in his sleep.

The Williamsville North versus Kenmore West Federation game was also postponed this past Saturday following news of the death, as 12 seniors on North's team had played with Cavagnaro in high school.

"We have reached out to the family and offer our condolences and asked if there was anything the university could do," Black said.

The funeral for the sophomore will be Thursday at Saint Gregory church at 9:30 a.m. and the calling hours will be held Wednesday at Amigone funeral home on 5200 Sheridan Drive from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"John was the type of guy that you would see all over Buffalo," Metz said. "He lived as much life as he could."