Sean Romeo Obituary: Former ECHL Goaltender Dies at 31 Following Stroke Complications, Remembered for Organ Donation

Sean Romeo Obituary: Former ECHL Goaltender Dies at 31 Following Stroke Complications, Remembered for Organ Donation

Sean Romeo, a former professional hockey goaltender who played across the ECHL and competed collegiately at the University of Maine and Ohio State University, has died at the age of 31. The ECHL and its member teams have expressed condolences to his family and friends following his passing on Saturday.

According to the ECHL announcement, Romeo died from complications of a stroke he first suffered on October 15. In a final act of generosity, he became an organ donor, donating his heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys to give others a second chance at life.

Romeo spent his entire 30-game professional career in the ECHL, representing the Cincinnati, Florida, Adirondack, Norfolk, Indy, South Carolina, and Kansas City teams. His professional career followed a distinguished college hockey journey that established him as a respected goaltender.

At Ohio State, Romeo earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors during the 2017–18 season and became the first Buckeye to be named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award. He was also selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Midwest Regional after helping Ohio State reach its first NCAA semifinal since 1998.

Romeo set an Ohio State school record with a shutout streak of 204 minutes and 27 seconds in November 2018. He finished his collegiate career among the program’s leading goaltenders in goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts.

Beyond hockey, Romeo earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Ohio State in spring 2019. He was part of the Buckeyes’ 2018 NCAA Frozen Four team and 2019 Big Ten Championship squad. He also received the NCAA Elite 90 Award at the 2018 Frozen Four for having the highest grade-point average among participating student-athletes.

A celebration of Sean Romeo’s life is scheduled for November 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, North Carolina.

Romeo’s legacy will endure through his contributions to hockey, his academic achievements, and the lives he may help save through organ donation. His passing is a profound loss for his loved ones and the hockey community.