Blues-Ducks postponed after Bouwmeester suffers cardiac episode on bench
St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester experienced a medical emergency during his team's game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
"With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game tonight, Jay Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench after completing his shift," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced in a statement postgame.
"Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay," Armstrong added. "He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians. We will update Jay's condition on Wednesday morning."
Bouwmeester was immediately taken to the dressing room on a stretcher after he collapsed.
Jay Bouwmeester collapses on the Blues bench. Game has been delayed pic.twitter.com/wOJkAFANCT
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 12, 2020
The game was initially delayed and then ultimately postponed. It will be made up at a later date.
Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and his eighth with the Blues.
The 36-year-old blue-liner once had an ironman streak of 737 consecutive games played, one of the longest runs in league history. He hasn't missed a contest in 2019-20.
Former Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley was the last player to collapse during an NHL game. He suffered a cardiac issue of his own in 2014, six months after having surgery to help correct an irregular heartbeat.