Ryan Fischer

Update:

The Kent County Medical Examiner's office confirmed that Ryan Fischer died of an enlarged heart.

GRANDVILLE, MI - Hours before he was supposed to lead a team into the MHSAA semifinal ice hockey tournament, Grandville High School's hockey team co-captain Ryan Fischer passed away, according to school and MHSAA sources.

Ryan, 17, was found unresponsive in his home early this morning, school officials said.

"From my understanding, (Ryan) went to sleep last night. There were no symptoms, no warning signs. He was unresponsive when his father went to wake him up this morning," said Grandville Superintendent Ron Caniff.

"Our love, support and prayer go out to the family. They are incredible people and an incredible family," Caniff said. "He was loved."

The Fischer family and Grandville High School have made the decision that tonight's tournament game should be played as scheduled, according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Facebook page.

“Our staff enjoyed knowing Ryan as an engaging member of the MHSAA student advisory council for two years, and we grieve his loss with the entire Grandville community,” MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts

The Grandville boys hockey team celebrates after a 3-2 overtime win over Grand Rapids West Catholic in the Division 1 quarterfinals on March 5, 2014 at Ewigleben Ice Arena at Ferris State University. (Josh VanDyke | MLive.com)

Spectrum Health officials say an autopsy is planned for later Friday, March 7. There is no information on the cause of Ryan’s death.

High school students were notified this morning, Caniff said. The district's grief counselors and volunteers from area churches were assisting the school staff and students today.

A top student as well as an athlete, Ryan had been accepted by the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point, and was expected to begin at West Point with the Class of 2018 on July 2. He wanted to study aerospace engineering.

Ryan assisted in a game-winning goal in overtime Wednesday as Grandville defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 3-2 at Ferris State University. Grandville will now face Detroit Catholic Central at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Division 1 state semifinals in Plymouth.

Ryan, a senior, was one of eight student athletes from Class A schools across the state to receive a MHSAA a student-athlete award this year. He was a three-year varsity hockey player who also lettered in football and baseball. He served as captain of the school’s hockey team and was named to the squad’s leadership council and the OK-Red conference team.

Earning academic all-conference honors in baseball, Ryan served four years on the student government executive board and was a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. He maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and was in his second year of the National Honor Society.

Ryan also served on the Grandville High School Leadership Team and on his church’s youth leadership council, mission trip, and youth group retreat planning teams.

This is the second student death the high school community has endured this week.

Freshman Alyssa Arends died on Sunday, March 2, from complications associated with Ewing's sarcoma.

East Elementary School in Grandville, where Alyssa's father is a physical education teacher, had organized fundraising events throughout the week in honor of her and a pancake breakfast on Saturday.

Kyle Moroney covers suburban schools and general assignments for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email her at kmoroney@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter or Facebook