Bouwmeester collapse recalls earlier cardiac episodes
Updates on Jay Bouwmeester’s health continue to be positive following the cardiac episode he suffered in Anaheim on Tuesday.
The Blues defenseman had a procedure at UC Irvine Medical Center on Friday to insert a batterypowered device that can deliver an electrical shock to his heart if an irregular beat is detected. Doctors still are trying to understand why Bouwmeester collapsed on the St. Louis bench seconds after completing a shift in the first period.
The fact that Bouwmeester — whose heart was quickly restarted by a defibrillator at the Honda Center — was in good spirits and able to Face Time shaken teammates from his hospital bed following the postponement of the game provided relief to all.
This next part he might not like so much. Based on consequences of the three similar medical emergencies pro hockey has seen, Bouwmeester has probably played his last game.
Jiri Fischer was 25 years old and 305 games into a promising career with the Red Wings when the defenseman collapsed on Detroit’s bench on Nov. 21, 2005. Joe Louis Arena was one of the few buildings in the league equipped with necessary equipment to revive and save Fischer, who was unconscious for six minutes.
Doctors were never able to pinpoint a cause as Fischer was ordered to avoid all physical activity for up to six weeks. Fischer experienced a “brief, abnormal cardiac rhythm” at home a week after his original collapse, and never played again.
Healthy and symptomfree now at age 39, Fischer is Detroit’s director of player evaluation.
Rich Peverley was a journeymen forward playing for Dallas — his fourth team in eight NHL seasons — when he collapsed on the Stars’ bench March 10, 2014, with a cardiac event. Peverley was revived onscene with oxygen, chest compressions and one shock from a defibrillator.
Peverley, 31 at the time, had undergone a procedure to help with an irregular heartbeat six months earlier, and — like Fischer — moved into a frontoffice role with his playing career suddenly cut short.
Craig Cunningham had the closest brush with death when it took paramedics 85 minutes of continual CPR to revive the former Bruin and Coyote after he collapsed during warmups before a minorleague game on Nov. 19, 2016.
Only 26 at the time, Cunningham had a long and difficult recovery that included the amputation of his lower left leg when he developed circulation problems as a result of the cardiac arrest.
Cunningham’s determination continues to be an inspiring story. A pro scout seen at Sharks games, Cunningham also assists the Coyotes’ player development. Cunningham appeared in 63 NHL games with Boston and Arizona.
Bouwmeester, 36, has had quite the career since drafted third overall by Florida in 2002. He played 747 consecutive games from 2004 to 2014, and waited a nearrecord 765 games before finally reaching the postseason with his third team — St. Louis — in 2013. Known as a fitness freak, the 6foot4, 215pound Edmonton, Alberta, native won gold in the World Cup of Hockey, the Olympics and lifted the Stanley Cup in his 16th season.
In a way, Fischer’s misfortunes paved the way for better outcomes for Peverley, Cunningham and Bouwmeester.
The NHL required all arenas be equipped with defibrillators in addition to the presence of at least two emergencytrained doctors seated within 50 feet of the players’ benches. The quick action of medical personnel was key to saving Bouwmeester.
Within the decade, Canada spent $10 million over a fouryear period to stock all of its approximate 3,000 arenas nationwide with defibrillators as cardiac emergencies are an alltoocommon event with so many people playing recreational hockey north of the border.
The plan is to have Bouwmeester return to St. Louis by plane after his release from medical care, and a further update is expected on his health next week.
Briefly: The Wild fired coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday, and replaced him with assistant Dean Evason, who is an original Shark and will be behind the bench when San Jose visits on Saturday. … Vegas started a stretch of playing nine of 10 at home with Thursday’s 65 win in overtime. Expect the Golden Knights to make their move in the Pacific. … Should be a cool site when the Kings and Avalanche meet Saturday night outdoors at the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs.