Former Ohio State hockey goaltender Sean Romeo has died at the age of 31 from complications related to a stroke he suffered one week earlier.
Romeo experienced the medical emergency on October 15, but his condition deteriorated after further complications emerged on Thursday, October 22.
His mother, Lisa, shared the heartbreaking news of his final days on a support page before he died “very peacefully” on Saturday, October 24.
“Sean’s brain swelling continued to worsen,” she wrote. “He suffered another stroke, this time on the opposite side of his brain, as well as bleeding into his brainstem.
“The damage was simply too extensive. Despite everything the doctors had done and how hard Sean had fought, his body could no longer overcome it.”
“I find comfort in knowing that he was not in pain and was surrounded by people who loved him more than words can express.”
Former hockey standout Sean Romeo has died at 31 after suffering complications from a stroke
Romeo was the Ohio State Buckeyes’ goaltender before graduating in 2019
Romeo was an organ donor, and his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were donated following his death.
“Even in death, our boy is a hero, giving others a second chance at life,” his mother said. “Please keep the recipients and their families in your prayers.
“My hope is that they receive not only the gift of life but also, someday, understand how special the person was who made that gift possible.”
Romeo helped Ohio State reach the 2018 NCAA Frozen Four, the program’s first appearance at that stage since 1998. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Midwest Regional.
He later played on Ohio State’s 2019 Big Ten Championship team and received the NCAA Elite 90 Award for recording the highest GPA among Frozen Four student-athletes. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
In a tribute released after his death, Ohio State said Romeo, who joined the school after spending two seasons at Maine, was a “seven-time Big Ten Star of the Week” and set the program’s shutout streak record at 204:27 in November 2018.
“He was the first goaltender in program history to record shutouts in three consecutive starts and finished his career fourth in school history in goals-against average at 2.22, tied for fourth in save percentage at .919 and tied for fifth with five career shutouts,” the statement said.
“His 22 wins in 2018 are tied for second for a single season in Ohio State history, while his 2.06 goals-against average and .927 save percentage that year rank fourth all-time.”
Romeo set Ohio State’s shutout streak record and helped the Buckeyes reach the Frozen Four
Romeo transferred to Ohio State after two years at Maine before beginning a professional career
After graduating, Romeo turned professional and played 30 games in the ECHL before moving into a business career in Chicago.
Lisa described the day after her son’s death as “one of the hardest days of my life” while thanking those who had supported her.
“I don’t think anything can prepare a mother for going through her child’s belongings,” she wrote. “Touching every item your child owns, knowing you must decide what to keep and what to say goodbye to, is a pain I cannot begin to describe. There simply aren’t words.
“Sean’s godmother, Michele, has been here with me and truly in the trenches by my side. We packed, we cried, we packed some more and cried some more. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through these days without her.”
She also praised Romeo’s friends as “absolutely incredible” for standing by the family during their grief.
“They keep coming to the apartment, bringing food, giving me the biggest hugs, shedding tears with me and sharing stories about Sean,” Lisa said. “Again and again, I hear how special he was, how much he meant to them and how deeply he touched their lives.
“As his mother, I always knew how wonderful my son was. But hearing it from so many people who knew him in different ways has been one of the greatest comforts during this heartbreaking time.”
