{coyotes} Canucks forward Hansen won't play vs. Coyotes

Monday, 22 December 2014

{coyotes} Canucks forward Hansen won't play vs. Coyotes

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VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen will not play Monday against the Arizona Coyotes after briefly losing consciousness and collapsing on the bench Saturday in a game against the Calgary Flames.

After participating in the morning skate Monday, Hansen said he had been cleared to play against the Coyotes, but the Canucks later said he will not be permitted to play.

"In the process of reviewing Hansen's test results the Vancouver Canucks in consultation with specialists have determined that further evaluation is required before he is cleared to play," the Canucks said in a statement. "Despite all tests being reported as normal, additional tests were ordered in the best interests of Hansen's health and safety."

Earlier in the day, Hansen was cracking jokes and talking about playing against the Coyotes despite not remembering passing out on the bench Saturday.

"I kind of lost my wind. It happens from time to time, but I wasn't able to catch it quick enough and I took a quick nap on the bench," Hansen said. "It's scary in the moment, but I had an idea it wasn't anything with the heart. It was basically I couldn't breathe, so I wasn't too worried, but you go through all the precautions to get checked and double-checked and triple-checked and get the OK sign."

Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman hit Hansen 1:27 into the second period Saturday, and Hansen skated on his own to the bench, where he remained hunched over before slumping forward unconscious. Play was stopped while Canucks doctors rushed to Hansen, who was pulled up by teammates before waking up quickly and walking to the locker room with help from the medical staff.

"I remember sitting on bench kind of trying to catch my breath, and then I remember them pulling me up. A couple of seconds, no more," Hansen said. "[The doctors said] something about when you pass out the spasm relaxes and you can breathe again. It takes a couple seconds, that was it, and full air would happen right after too."

Hansen wasn't released from the hospital until 1 p.m. Sunday.

"It's just a matter of making sure nothing with the heart, and once the heart is cleared, you're clear," Hansen said. "They did thorough check and made sure everything is OK. They are not going to let a guy back on the ice unless you are cleared and ready for it."

Hansen apparently isn't ready yet.

Tom Sestito, who hasn't played since sustaining a groin injury Nov. 2, will likely replace Hansen in the Vancouver lineup against Arizona.

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