Former Tucson Roadrunners hockey player Craig Cunningham lost part of his leg following a medical procedure, ESPN reports.

Doctors conducted the partial amputation Dec. 24 in order to prevent a possible spread of infection that could complicate his recovery.

Cunningham collapsed on the ice before a game Nov. 19. Medical personnel performed chest compressions on him before transporting him to the hospital.

The 26-year-old required 85 minutes of CPR.

Doctors from Banner-UMC and Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital performed a series of innovative medical procedures to help save Cunningham and he was released from the hospital in late December.

"Every time I think about how I can't play anymore, I just think back to [the fact that] I'm lucky I'm not 10 feet under," Cunningham told ESPN Monday evening from Banner-University Medical Center. "If I have to sacrifice playing hockey to be alive -- and it's a tough pill to swallow for sure, it's been my whole life since I was 4 years old -- it's time for me to move on."