Jiri Fischer collapses at game
The first meeting of the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings of the season was abruptly cancelled after Wings defenseman, Jiri Fischer, collapsed on the bench during the first period.
NHL.com is now reporting that Fischer suffered a seizure. He was given CPR at the bench and a defibrillator was used before he was removed on a stretcher to be taken to the Detroit Receiving Hospital. Captain Steve Yzerman and forward Brendan Shanahan helped his fiancee, Avery, across the ice to the bench area.
Team spokesman, John Hahn, said that he is in stable condition, responsive, talking, and breathing on his own. They do not know what caused the seizure at this point. Yzerman and Shanahan addressed the media once they received word that Fischer’s condition was stable. “We’re not really sure what is going on,” Yzerman said.
Fischer apparently has some friends on the Nashville Predators teams and both squads were too concerned over their friend and fellow hockey player to continue the game. “I don’t think any of the players felt it right to continue playing the game, even though we received word that Fischer was stable…I think it was Brett Lebda who alerted the rest of the team that something was wrong…Jiri was his usual self before the game,” Shanahan said.
In September 2002, he was diagnosed with a heart abnormality (his heart is apparently a little thicker than normal) after it was found on an electrocardiogram, which was part of Wings’ preseason physicals. He was then given a stress test, which he passed. “There is a little abnormality, but nothing that will stop me from playing,” Fischer said at the time. “It’s nothing that will bother me emotionally. I wasn’t scared about the abnormality. But I was scared about not playing hockey again. That was a shock for me.”
Paul at Kuklas Korner also has comments on the incident and what transpired. Stephen Bolen at Back in Blue also blogged live as the events unfolded.
No decision about rescheduling the game has been made at this time. The Wings will be playing this Wednesday when they face the Colorado Avalanche.
Update: The Detroit Red Wings held a conference today (11/22/05) at Joe Louis Arena at 1pm to shed more light on how Jiri Fischer is doing. I typed these “quotes” as they talked on TV so I can’t guarantee that they are all word for word what was said, but as close as I could remember. Here are some things they had to say:
GM Ken Holland: Obviously, it’s been a tough 12 hours for our organization. When I was in his room, he was in good spirits and a couple of jolts were cracked. Very thankful that we have tremendous medical people in our organization…We’re going to go see Jiri this afternoon.
Dr. Tony Colucci: He’s cracking some jokes. All his tests are coming back within normal limits. When I assessed the situation, Fischer was having a convulsion in my professional opinion. Trying to maintain an airway and establish a pulse. We initiated chest compressions. We shocked him [with the use of an AED].
Upon his arrival [at Detroit Receiving Hospital], he was very stable. He was very thankful for everybody. There’s no way to figure what triggered it. Believe it was cardiac in origin.
He couldn’t really recall too much last night. Today, he recalls his first shift, being in the ambulance, and being in the ER. He didn’t remember being on the bench.
An AED monitor should be in every public place. Any laid person is able to use the machine. It should be in any arena, period. The ABCs [airway, breathing, circulation] are most crucial.
Fischer’s agent, who lives in Florida, is flying in today and should be in Detroit this afternoon. The Wings have offered to fly his parents from the Czech Republic to Detroit. The Wings may call someone up from Grand Rapids, but will look at all the options to make the team as strong as possible.
One of my five college classes I’m taking right now is a required CPR/First Aid class. We had just recently covered how to use an AED, CPR, etc. An AED is extremely easy to use. You have two patches to place on the chest and they are clearly labeled with where they are supposed to go. The AED talks to you and will direct you through it whether it’s telling you to stay clear, shock, etc. As the doctor mentioned, ABCs are what you first look for when something goes wrong. You check the airway first, breathing second, and circulation third. AEDs cost around $3000 according to the doctor.
I’ll have more updates for you as they come out. My thoughts and prayers are with Jiri and his family for a speedy recovery.
Update (11/23/05):
Fischer was released from the hospital today and is home, resting comfortably. He has also been placed on IR (injured reserved). Detroit has called up defenseman Kyle Quincey from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Fans wishing to send Get Well wishes to Fischer are asked to send cards to:
Jiri Fischer
Detroit Red Wings
Joe Louis Arena
600 Civic Center Drive
Detroit, MI 48226In lieu of flowers, the Red Wings ask that fans consider making a donation to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Wish Club. Fischer has served as the team spokesman for this initiative during the past five years and is a staunch supporter of Children’s Hospital. To make a donation to the Wish Club, fans can call 313-745-5024.
In addition, fans who would like to sign a 3′ X 4′ Get Well card for Fischer can do so beginning at 6 p.m. today at Hockeytown Cafe in downtown Detroit and Hockeytown Authentics in Troy.
Fans attending tomorrow evening’s Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche game will also have the opportunity to sign 4′ X 8′ Get Well cards which will be located on the concourse at Joe Louis Arena.
Thank you for your continued support of Jiri and the Red Wings.
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4 Responses to “Jiri Fischer collapses at game”
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November 21st, 2005 at 10:30 pm
I’ve been blogging about this incident as it unfolded on my NHL Center Ice screen.
Even as a St. Louis Blues fan, my heart really goes out to Jiri Fischer, his fiancee and family. That is an event that I never want to see ever again.
You can find my entry on the incident here: Jiri Fischer has a seziure; live blogging update from Detroit
November 21st, 2005 at 11:35 pm
I am stunned by this.
At a time like this, you have to put team allegiances aside.
Even as a Hurricanes fan, I have to echo Stephens sentiment, and hope for a full and speedy recovery by Fischer.
August 14th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
[…] 2. Jiri Fischer collapses during a game. On November 21st, 2005, defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench during a game against the Nashville Predators. Fortunately, the team doctor was able to act quickly saving the young defenseman’s life. Fischer has not yet been allowed to return to NHL action. […]
September 11th, 2006 at 8:44 am
[…] Jiri Fischer Most Wings fans can remember the horrible night, November 21st, when defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed at the bench during a game against the Nashville Predators. They still aren’t sure as to exactly what caused the collapse during the game althought it had something to do with his heart. Fischer will NOT be at training camp this year and the team is expected to place him on injured reserved to alleviate some space in the salary cap. He is still undergoing tests in an attempt to return to the NHL. “He continues to see doctors, gather information,’’ Holland said. “He’d love to play hockey, but there’s other things more important.’’ […]