ARIZONA COYOTES
Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham in critical but stable condition
Nov 21, 2016, 1:00 PM | Updated: 2:25 pm

(Twitter photo/@SamKVOA)
(Twitter photo/@SamKVOA)
Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham is in critical but stable condition, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said Monday after the Coyotes practiced at Gila River Arena.
“In respect to the family, we want to make sure that (information) stays tight,” said Tippett, who declined to define the nature of Cunningham’s medical emergency. “The doctors and all the people involved did a fantastic job in a real serious situation. We’re all just thinking and praying for him and hoping for the best.”
The Roadrunners announced their games Tuesday and Wednesday against the San Diego Gulls have been postponed.
Cunningham collapsed on the ice before a game on Saturday against the Manitoba Moose at Tucson Convention Center. Tucson.com reported that Cunningham, 26, collapsed just moments before the puck was scheduled to drop and appeared to convulse after hitting the ice. Medics attended to Cunningham and cut away his jersey as he was lying on his back. They performed chest compressions before moving him off the ice and into an ambulance.
“They got to him right away,” Tippett said after his team’s 3-2 overtime win over San Jose on Saturday at Gila River Arena.
Both AHL teams returned to their locker rooms after Cunningham’s collapse and the game was cancelled.
Roadrunners GM Doug Soetaert told the Daily Star that much is still unknown about Cunningham’s future and prognosis.
“It’s a changing target every day,” he said.
Drafted in the fourth round (97th overall) by the Bruins in 2010, Cunningham has been with the Coyotes organization since they claimed him off waivers at the 2015 trade deadline. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes in June as a free agent to remain with them.
In 63 career games, 29 with the Coyotes, the affable 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward has three goals and eight points. He played mostly in the minors last season, scoring 22 goals and totaling 46 points in 61 games with Springfield in the American Hockey League, the Coyotes’ previous AHL affiliate. The Coyotes purchased the Falcons in the offseason and moved the team to Tucson.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Cunny and his family,” Coyotes GM John Chayka said.
Cunningham’s medical emergency also drew a massive outpouring of well wishes from Coyotes players and current and former NHL players.
Thinking of you cunny stay strong buddy. #prayforcunny
— jordan martinook (@Martyman17) November 20, 2016
Everyone please send your thoughts and prayers to Craig Cunningham and his family tonight!
— Alex Goligoski (@gollygoose33) November 20, 2016
My prayers are with Craig Cunningham and his family tonight. One of a kind guy
— Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) November 20, 2016
Praying for one of my best friends Craig Cunningham. Keep fighting Craig.
— Milan Lucic (@27MilanLucic) November 20, 2016
My prayers are with Craig Cunningham and his family. One of the best guys I've met on and off the ice . #prayers
— davidpastrnak (@pastrnak96) November 20, 2016
Loss of words over the news of my oldest and bestfriend Craig Cunningham. Praying for u and ur mom & brothers. Stay strong. love you brother
— Landon Ferraro (@LandonFerraro) November 20, 2016
Been lucky to meet great people in this game. None better than Craig Cunningham. Please pray and think of him tonight.
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) November 20, 2016