Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham remains in a Tucson hospital Saturday night after collapsing on the ice minutes before a 7 p.m. scheduled game against Manitoba.Β
The American Hockey League postponed the contest. No make-up date has been announced. Β
The NHL's Arizona Coyotes, the Roadrunners' parent club, issued a statement late Saturday that confirmed Cunningham suffered "a medical emergency."Β
"Cunningham was taken to a local hospital where he is receiving medical treatment," it read. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig and his family. We will provide a medical update once we receive more information.β
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett told reporters Saturday that medical officials got to Cunningham "right away."Β
"We'll have more information tomorrow," he said, "but it was one of those real scary incidents."
Cunningham collapsed just moments before the puck was scheduled to drop. He appeared to convulse after hitting the ice. Medics worked on Cunningham, who was lying on his back, and cut away his jersey. They performed chest compressions before moving him off the ice and into an ambulance.
Both teams then returned to their locker rooms. The Roadrunners are expected to update Cunningham's condition later this evening; team officials said they would have no further comment.Β
The 26-year-old Cunningham, a center, is arguably one of the Roadrunners' best players. He scored the first two goals in franchise history last month, and had a goal in Friday night's win over the Moose.Β His 13 points are tops on the team.Β
Cunningham was named captain this month. The Trail, British Columbia native earned that distinction last year, too, as a member of the Springfield (Massachusetts) Falcons. The Falcons were sold and moved to Tucson last spring.Β
