Tucson's Craig Cunningham collapses on ice before AHL game
Roadrunners captain taken to hospital Saturday night
Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice and was taken to a hospital Saturday night before an American Hockey League game against the Manitoba Moose.
Arizona Daily Star said the 26-year-old Cunningham, from Trail, B.C., collapsed moments before the game was scheduled to start and appeared to convulse after hitting the ice.
The newspaper said medics cut away his jersey and performed chest compressions before moving him off the ice.
Prayers for <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAHL">@TheAHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RoadrunnersAHL">@RoadrunnersAHL</a> Craig Cunningham tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForCunningham?src=hash">#PrayForCunningham</a> <a href="https://t.co/70i79lzPeA">pic.twitter.com/70i79lzPeA</a>
—@TCMoulton
Cunningham has four goals and nine assists in 11 games this season for Tucson, the Arizona Coyotes' top farm club.
Coyotes general manager issued a statement following the incident: "Arizona Coyotes center Craig Cunningham suffered a medical emergency on the ice prior to the start of tonight's game between the Tucson Roadrunners and the Manitoba Moose at the Tucson Convention Center. Cunningham was taken to a local hospital where he is receiving medical treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig and his family. We will provide a medical update once we receive more information."
He was originally drafted 97th overall in 2010 by the Bruins and has appeared in 63 NHL games with Boston and Arizona.
No make-up date has been announced and the league did not provide any further details.
Several NHL players took to social media to express their concern for Cunningham after news of the incident came out on Saturday night.
My prayers are with Craig Cunningham and his family tonight. One of a kind guy
—@tseguinofficial
Praying for Craig Cunningham. One of the best guys I've played with.
—@mhutch34
My prayers are with Craig Cunningham and his family. One of the best guys I've met on and off the ice . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/prayers?src=hash">#prayers</a>
—@pastrnak96
Please keep one of my best friends Craig Cunningham in your thoughts and prayers tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAHL">@TheAHL</a>
—@DaveWarsofsky5
With files from CBC Sports