Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice before Saturday's game against the Manitoba Moose at Tucson Arena with Coyotes General Manager John Chayka calling it a "medical emergency" in a statement released by the team.

An update on Cunningham's status wasn't made available Sunday.

Medical personnel worked on Cunningham while he was lying on his back and cut away his jersey, according to a report from the Arizona Daily Star, with medics performing chest compressions on Cunningham before moving him off the ice. In the statement, Chayka said Cunningham was taken to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.

"They got to him right away, and he’s in hospital," coach Dave Tippett said. "We'll have more information tomorrow, but it was one of those real scary incidents."

The game has been postponed, and a makeup date hasn't been announced, the report said.

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"As a group in here, we’re thinking about him and his family," goalie Mike Smith said. "Our thoughts and prayers are going out to them."

Cunningham signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes in June. The 26-year-old has been with the organization since he was claimed off waivers at the 2015 trade deadline. Overall, he has three goals and eight points in 63 career NHL games. He played mostly in the minors last season, tallying 22 goals and finishing with 46 points in 61 games with Springfield in the American Hockey League.

Drafted in the fourth round (97th overall) by the Bruins in 2010, Cunningham has three goals and eight points in 63 NHL games. He has one goal and five points in 29 games with the Coyotes.

This is the Roadrunners' first season as the Coyotes moved their AHL affiliate to Tucson during the offseason.

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.