MINNEAPOLIS — Mack Motzko, the son of University of Minnesota men's hockey coach Bob Motzko, died after a crash Saturday night in Orono.
"Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our Mack," tweeted Bob Motzko. "No bigger heart or young man loved than this kid. Thanks to all who have reached out. He is my hero."
According to a press release from the Orono Police Department, a single-vehicle crash happened Saturday night after 11 p.m. near the 3100 block of North Shore Drive.
Police say the vehicle was speeding when it left the road and struck several trees. A 24-year-old man in the passenger seat was killed in the crash. Mack, who was in the back seat, and the 51-year-old driver sustained critical injuries. An ambulance took the pair to North Memorial Hospital where Mack, 20, later died from his injuries.
Police identified the 24-year-old Monday as Samuel Schuneman of Maple Grove. The 51-year-old driver, was still hospitalized as of Monday. Police said the driver wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.
According to a press release from the police, alcohol and speed "appear to be" contributing factors.
"We are devastated for Bob, Shelley, their family and all involved," said University of Minnesota Director of Athletics Mark Coyle in a release. "This is an unimaginable tragedy, and we will do everything we can to support those affected. We ask for privacy for the families, as they mourn the loss of loved ones."
Mack had played hockey for Cathedral High School in St. Cloud.
"I knew Mack very well. Personally, it's just devastating. Mack is one of the kindest, thoughtful, faith-filled young men you will ever meet," said Emmett Keenan, activities director for Cathedral.
According to Keenan, Mack left Cathedral and played for Minnetonka High School his junior year after his dad got the head men's hockey coach job at U of M.
"Mack was an incredible young man with a very bright future," the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association posted in a Facebook post. "Please keep the Motzko family in your thoughts and prayers."
Bob spent 13 season as the head coach for the St. Cloud State men's hockey team before taking over the Gophers men's hockey team in 2018.
Mack returned to Cathedral for his senior year and was a captain of the team.
"This is so hard because he really embodied what Cathedral High School is. Everybody liked Mack; Mack liked everybody. He was respectful to his teachers, he was good to his family and he was good to everybody around him," Keenan said.
Mack most recently played for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL and for the New Mexico Ice Wolves in the NAHL.
Sunday night, people left their hockey sticks outside their front doors to remember Mack, tweeting #SticksOutForMack.
Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the investigation and reconstruction of the crash.