Quinnipiac Hockey Team Mourns Death Of Inspiring Teen

HAMDEN, CT — The Quinnipiac men’s hockey team is mourning the loss of Michael Torello, who died July 30 at the age of 15.

Torello had been a member of the men’s hockey program since 2017 after he joined from Team IMPACT.

Torello attended games, practices, team dinners and events throughout his time as a Bobcat and was truly a teammate and dedicated member of the Bobcats' squad, according to Quinnipiac University.

“Michael was an inspiration to me,” Quinnipiac hockey coach Rand Pecknold wrote in a post on Twitter. “I loved having him at practice. And games. We will miss him dearly….”

Torello, who was diagnosed with Kernicterus in 2017, came to the Bobcats from Team IMPACT, whose mission is to “improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of team,” officials wrote in the news release.

Torello, who was a student at Cheshire High School, is survived by his parents, John P. and Carolyn Stratton Torello, twin brother Matthew, older brother Joey, and sister Julia.

“He was a proud member of the Quinnipiac University Hockey Team,” reads his obituary. “He loved spending time with his family, going to school and being with his friends. He inspired everyone he met.”

Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,300 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 47 states, reaching over 35,000 participating student-athletes.

“The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team,” officials wrote in a news release. “Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.”

“Our thoughts are with Michael's mother and father, Carolyn and John, and his siblings, Joey, Matt and Julia during this time,” Quinnipiac officials wrote.