Rush Send Best to Craig Cunningham
November 22, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
RAPID CITY, SD- The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, would like to extend its best wishes and prayers to the Roadrunners organization, and the team's captain, Craig Cunningham.
Cunningham, a 26 year-old forward from Trail, British Columbia, has played either for the Arizona Coyotes or in the Coyotes system for the last three seasons. Before the Roadrunners regularly scheduled game against the Manitoba Moose last Saturday night, Cunningham collapsed on the ice and received immediate medical attention. He was promptly hospitalized and has been in the hospital since the incident.
"Craig remains in stable but critical condition at a local hospital," said Doug Soetaert, Roadrunners General Manager in an update on Monday. "He is receiving excellent medical care but out of respect to Craig and his family we are refraining from further comment or discussing any details at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig and his family."
In an article on ArizonaSports.com, Coyotes General Manager John Chayka added: "Our staff did a phenomenal job in terms of their response. The care he's receiving now is unbelievable."
"His family's with him," Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett said in an article on AZCentral.com. "He's getting unbelievable care down there. The one thing I will say and (Coyotes head athletic trainer Jason Serbus) has talked to the doctors that were right there, the doctors and all the people involved did a fantastic job of a real serious situation. We're all just thinking and praying for him and hoping for the best."
"From the entire Rush organization and Rush Family, our thoughts and prays go out to Craig and his entire family," said Rush General Manager Joe Ferras.
Out of respect for Cunningham and his current battle, the Roadrunners announced shortly after that not only has the contest against Manitoba been postponed, but also this week's games against the San Diego Gulls that were originally scheduled for tonight and tomorrow.
Cunningham's professional career has spanned 6 seasons and 382 games: 63 in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes, and 319 in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, Springfield Falcons, and Tucson Roadrunners. This season, he registered 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 11 games with Tucson. Prior to playing professionally, Cunningham played with the Vancouver Giants and Portland Winterhawks in the WHL, and was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 2010 NHL Draft (4th Rd-#97).
We ask that all of our loyal members of Rush Nation keep Craig and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he battles in the hospital.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from November 22, 2016
- Perry's Hat Trick Leads Solar Bears to 7-2 Win over Mavericks - Orlando Solar Bears
- Forward Jesse Mychan Returns to Eagles - Colorado Eagles
- 'Blades Unbeaten Streak Ends as the Thunder Rolls 3-1 - Florida Everblades
- Mavericks Stumble in Orlando - Kansas City Mavericks
- Aces Announce February 2017 Game Date Change - Alaska Aces
- Labbe Reassigned to Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Jackals and Amerks Swap Goalies - Elmira Jackals
- Jackals Prep for Post-Thanksgiving Three-In-Three - Elmira Jackals
- 'Blades Add Forward Matt Hatch & Goaltender Matt Skoff - Florida Everblades
- $2 Beers, Hot Dogs When Mallards Return Home Friday Night - Quad City Mallards
- ECHL Transactions - November 22 - ECHL
- Season Ticket Holder Newsletter, November 22nd - Wichita Thunder
- Defenseman Frank Schumacher Added to Roster - Fort Wayne Komets
- Cyclones Announce Roster Moves - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Wideman Wins Sher-Wood Hockey/ECHL Player of the Week Honors - Indy Fuel
- Nailers Sign Milos Bubela - Wheeling Nailers
- Jackals Claim J.P. LaFontaine off Waivers - Elmira Jackals
- Upcoming Stingrays Promotions - South Carolina Stingrays
- Defenseman Sergei Boikov Recalled to San Antonio - Colorado Eagles
- Indy's Wideman Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Rapid City's Morrison Named CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Morrison Named CCM/ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Rapid City Rush
- CYCLONES 2016-17 Weekly: Week 6 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Royals Celebrate Thanksgiving Season with 'Night of Hope' On Saturday - Reading Royals
- Rush Send Best to Craig Cunningham - Rapid City Rush
- Mavericks Game Preview - November 22 at Orlando - Kansas City Mavericks
- Everblades Announce Several Roster Moves - Florida Everblades
- November Coat Drive Underway - Adirondack Thunder
- Gameday-Adirondack (9-3-1-2) vs Florida (10-0-1-2) - Adirondack Thunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
