Scary scene in Anaheim on Tuesday night as St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the team’s bench and required medical assistance due to what general manager Doug Armstrong called a “cardiac moment.”
The game was immediately stopped, with the Ducks and Blues eventually agreeing to postpone the game.
It will be completed at a yet-to-be-determined date.
The incident happened with 7:50 remaining in the first period during a stoppage in play. Bouwmeester had just skated a one minute and 20 second shift prior to that.
The Blues broadcast indicated that Bouwmeester had his eyes open and was acknowledging medical staff while being transported to a local hospital.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong issued the following statement late 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. Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay. 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.”
The 36-year-old Bouwmeester has appeared 1,240 regular season games over 17 seasons in the NHL. He has played 490 of those games as a member of the Blues.
—
Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.