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Chicago Blackhawks center Max Domi’s thoughts were with Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed Monday night and suffered cardiac arrest after a collision with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
The 24-year-old Hamlin remains hospitalized in critical condition.
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“It’s obviously scary to witness for anyone,” Domi said at Tuesday’s morning skate before the Hawks’ game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Hope he’s going to be OK and we’re thinking about him.
“But honestly, a contact sport, that’s what happens. We all sign up for that. And I think some people sometimes forget what’s at stake when you play football, when you play hockey. You are putting your life on the line to some extent and anything can happen.”
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Hamlin’s scare hit close to home for Domi, who went through a similar experience with a former Arizona Coyotes teammate.
On Nov. 19, 2016, Craig Cunningham, then a forward with the minor-league Tucson Roadrunners, suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the ice before a game against the Manitoba Moose.
He had a ventricular fibrillation and received more than 85 minutes of CPR. Ultimately circulation issues necessitated amputation below his left knee on Christmas Eve of that year.
“Something pretty similar happened to him and ended up putting him in a coma, but he made it through and (he’s a) great dude,” Domi said. “But that was a scary situation for sure.
“So anytime you have a guy that’s fighting for his life like that, you realize that it’s more important than the hockey game or the football game. So I think they made the right decision, no doubt, just stop that (Bills-Bengals) game. And I just hope this guy is OK.”
Hawks assistant coach Derek King didn’t watch the game, but he called the situation “unfortunate.”
“It’s a freaky thing that happens, and obviously our thoughts are with the player and his family,” King said. “That’s part of our job: We’re at risk. We know going into this — especially when you get to a pro level — that these things can happen. It’s too bad it did happen, but it did and hopefully he’s going to recover fine.”
