Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham has been named winner of the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award, given annually to the American Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
Cunningham suffered a cardiac incident on the ice shortly before the Roadrunners' Nov. 19 game against Manitoba at Tucson Arena. Medical personnel on the ice and at St. Mary's Hospital and Banner-University Medical Center likely saved saved his life. Doctors were forced to amputate part of Cunningham's leg, essentially ending his career; the captain has been offered a job in the Arizona Coyotes' front office. Cunningham was honored by the team last week.
Cunningham was arguably the Roadrunners' best player before his collapse. He scored the first goal in franchise history, and had recorded 13 points in 11 games.
The AHL's award honors Fred T. Hunt, who won three Calder Cup championships as a player and three more as a general manager during a career spent primarily with the AHL’s Buffalo Bisons and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
