Hockey

Tucson's Craig Cunningham collapses on ice before AHL game

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.

Roadrunners captain taken to hospital Saturday night

Craig Cunningham, pictured above in a game with the Coyotes, has appeared in 63 NHL games with Boston and Arizona. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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.

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. 

With files from CBC Sports