Advertisement

B.C.-born hockey player Craig Cunningham opens up about remarkable recovery after collapsing on ice

Click to play video: 'Craig Cunningham’s road to recovery'
Craig Cunningham’s road to recovery
WATCH: A month after his heart stopped beating, Craig Cunningham is alive. On November 19, Cunningham collapsed on the ice before a Tucson Roadrunners game, requiring more than 85 minutes of CPR. As Jay Janower reports, he is speaking to the media, thanking those who saved his life – Dec 21, 2016

Seeing Craig Cunningham smile is a Christmas miracle for his friends and family. Just over a month ago, the Tucson Roadrunners player came as close to death as you can and still survive.

Prior to the start of a Roadrunners’ American Hockey League game, Cunningham – who is originally from Trail, B.C. – suffered acute cardiac arrest. For reasons still unknown, his heart stopped beating.

It took a team of firefighters, paramedics, nurses and doctors to save his life.

WATCH: Craig Cunningham thankful for those who helped save his life, says pro-hockey probably behind him

Click to play video: 'Craig Cunningham thankful for those who helped save his life, says pro-hockey probably behind him'
Craig Cunningham thankful for those who helped save his life, says pro-hockey probably behind him

After numerous surgeries, Cunningham underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s been a pretty big grind, just being in the same spot the whole time and looking at the same thing every day,” he said of his recovery.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Cunningham and his family are eternally grateful to everyone who helped him.

WATCH: Heather Cunningham with emotional thank you to those who saved her son’s life

Click to play video: 'Heather Cunningham with emotional thank you to those who saved her son’s life'
Heather Cunningham with emotional thank you to those who saved her son’s life

“I don’t think I will ever find the words to express how grateful I really am,” mother Heather Cunningham said. “Craig would not be with us here today if these people had not gone that extra mile.”

The prognosis for Craig is positive. He is expected to make a full and healthy recovery, but his hockey career is likely over.

Although for a guy who wasn’t supposed to make the NHL and has defied the odds every step of his life, who knows?

Story continues below advertisement

“Anything can happen,” he said.

– With files from Jay Janower

Sponsored content

AdChoices