Pavelec's collapse called fainting spell
Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec suffered from a neurocardiogenic syncope episode, described as a fainting spell, when he lost consciousness and collapsed on the ice two minutes into the Thrashers' season opener Friday.
Preliminary test results, released by the team Monday, indicate the diagnosis after Pavelec's heart and brain were examined over two days.
Pavelec was released from the hospital Sunday. The 23-year-old remained in Atlanta on Monday as the Thrashers left for a three-game West Coast road trip. He was scheduled to undergo further testing on his heart, in addition to blood and genetic examinations. According to a statement released by the team, if all goes expected, Pavelec will be medically cleared following the tests.
However, a return to the ice will depend on Pavelec recovering from the concussion he suffered when his head hit the ice upon collapsing. He has suffered headaches since the fall.
Pavelec collapsed 2 minutes, 25 seconds into the game against Washington. He lay motionless as he was attended to by doctors and removed on a stretcher. He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that when he awoke in an ambulance he could not feel his legs and had no memory of playing in the game.
Pavelec regained consciousness in the ambulance en route to the hospital. The feeling in his legs returned in the emergency room. He was in stable condition and held for observation and testing Friday and Saturday. He was released Sunday to return home after further testing.
Slater returns
Jim Slater, out since the start of training camp with a right wrist injury, participated in his first full practice Monday. The forward is on the injured (non-roster) list as he rehabs the injury and has been limited to skating drills.
"It is a full go," Slater said. "I haven't had any [game] physical contact. I'm getting used to the drills and just trying to keep up with the guys because these guys, because they've been doing this for a while. That's the biggest thing for me, to get bumped around."
Slater traveled with the Thrashers on their West Coast trip, which begins today in Los Angeles. There is not timetable for his return.
"We'll see where it goes," Slater said. "Obviously I want to play. Am I ready? Who knows? That's a decision for the coaches. I've been out for six and a half weeks. It's tough to jump in after one practice."
Roster moves
The Thrashers made two goaltending roster moves Monday in Pavelec's absence. The team re-assigned Drew MacIntrye to AHL Chicago on Monday, two days after he was brought up to back up Chris Mason against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Peter Mannino was re-called from Chicago and was scheduled to meet the team in Los Angeles. Mannino suffered flu-like symptoms for Chicago's first two games of the season, making him unable to join the Thrashers.
Mannino played in 38 games for Chicago last season, compiling a 26-5-1 record with a 2.34 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
The Thrashers practiced Monday by using prospect Chris Carrozzi as a second goaltender. Carrozzi had been re-assigned to ECHL Gwinnett.
