Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer suffered a seizure in the first period of last night's game between the Wings and the Nashville Predators. Fischer's heart stopped when he collapsed on the bench. CPR was administered to save the 25-year-old Fischer and a defibrillator was used to re-start his heart.
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock was clearly shaken by the incident. 'His heart had stopped, and there was no pulse,' Babcock told the 'Detroit Free Press.' 'But they hooked up the auto defibrillator, and they shocked him. The heartbeat that leads to death, they got that stopped, and going, and they continued with the CPR.'
Fischer was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital. His condition was described as stable. 'It's our understanding that things are fine, and that he is going to be fine. He's stable.'
Fans at the game applauded when an announcement was made that Fischer was going to be OK.
The game was stopped with just under eight minutes left in the first period and was not resumed. No makeup date has been set as of yet although the clubs said they would have an announcement within 48 hours.
Confusion reigned on the Red Wings bench for a few seconds after Fischer collapsed but players and coaches quickly realized the seriousness of the situation and the medical personnel stationed near the Zamboni entrance were quickly summoned.
'Everybody was caught by surprise,' Yzerman said after the game. 'I'm not sure the players were aware of the circumstances. We turn and see Jiri laying between the boards and the bench and we're really not sure why he's laying there. For us, we were basically helpless to stand there and watch.
'You're just sitting back hoping that this is going to work out all right. You're not really sure of what is going on, what his condition is, or what he is suffering from at that moment, so you're just wondering what is going on.'
Fischer does have a history of heart problems. He had an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG) during training camp in 2002 but has passed subsequent team physicals. His future in hockey is not certain at this time.
There were no objections from either team to canceling the rest of the game which Nashville lead 1-0 when play was stopped.
'It was very disturbing to both sides, and I think the NHL recognized it, the players recognized it,' Predators coach Barry Trotz said. 'To be quite honest, the game became very secondary.'
