Worry and concern

Cape Breton Eagles, Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL game ends after medical emergency on Sea Dogs bench

SYDNEY, N.S. — A night that started with celebrating the careers of the Cape Breton Eagles overage players ended in worry and concern for a member of the Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday.

At 19:06 of the third period, the game between the Eagles and Sea Dogs was cancelled after Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard collapsed behind the bench. Crickard is originally from St. John's.

A faceoff was about to take place away from the Saint John bench at the time.

Officials rushed to the Sea Dogs bench as all players left the bench and stood on the ice watching the situation unfold. Seconds later, a request for game doctor R.J. Mackenzie came over the sound system.

Both the Sea Dogs and Eagles players were later sent to their respective dressing rooms and an uneasy feeling was felt throughout the building as spectators watched as emergency officials helped Crickard.

He was later taken off the bench on a stretcher and received a loud cheer as a sign of respect from the fans – the attendance not released at publication time.

Shortly after, the crowd was informed the remainder of the game would be cancelled with Cape Breton leading 6-0. The rest of the game would not be played and the Eagles were awarded the win.

Crickard was transported to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney by Emergency Health Services for further treatment.

In a statement released on social media Sunday, the Sea Dogs said Crickard was released from hospital this morning and was heading home to be with his family in Saint John.

“What happened last night was scary and the outpouring of support for Travis has meant a lot to him and the team,” the team said through a statement.

The 37-year-old Crickard was promoted as Sea Dogs head coach in August 2022 after serving as an assistant coach with the team for the 2021-22 season.

Crickard won a Memorial Cup with the Sea Dogs in June 2022.

He retired from his playing career in 2010 and began coaching. He led the Ottawa Jr. 67’s under-18 ‘AAA’ team to the Telus Cup national championship final in 2013.