Say A Prayer For Former Bruin Craig Cunningham, Who Is In The Hospital After Collapsing Before Game Saturday
Of all the horrific things that can happen in a hockey rink, there is perhaps nothing more sickening than when a player just collapses out of the blue. Rich Peverley and Jiri Fischer both nearly lost their lives but for the top-notch work of first responders and terrific doctors. Alexei Cherepanov, the 2007 first round pick of the Rangers, wasn’t as fortunate.
During a KHL game eight years ago, Cherepanov lost consciousness on his bench. Unfortunately, KHL rinks at the time were less prepared for a cardiac event than your out-of-season MDC rink. The right wing, who was the highest-rated European prospect when the game was played, never came to and died at just 19 years old.
So when word traveled quickly through Twitter Saturday night that former Bruin and beloved teammate Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice prior to face-off, you couldn’t help but get heartsick. He was treated immediately on the ice and is currently listed as “stable but critical”.
We’ve all seen support online for guys after injuries but I’ve never seen such an outpouring of emotion and love from peers and pals quite like this before. More than a handful of guys referred to him as “best friend”.
Cunningham is a center and captain of the Tucson Roadrunners. He was the Bs 4th round pick in 2010 and despite long odds and being 5’9″, he made it to The Show. He played in 34 games for the Bruins over the 2013-14 and ’14-’15 seasons before joining the Coyotes organization. But it’s clear he’s left his mark wherever he’s been.
I can’t recommend this Bob McKenzie piece about him enough. A wonderfully done article about a tough subject. It’s just one of the reasons why Bob is the best.
You got this, Cunny.
#CunnyCan