Portland, ME – Phoenix Coyotes forward Brett MacLean was still in ICU in a London area hospital, but according to the team’s assistant general manager Brad Treliving is showing signs of improvement.

MacLean, 23, was airlifted to Knight University Hospital in London, Ontario, Monday night, and admitted into the cardiac intensive care unit after suffering a cardiac emergency while playing a pickup hockey game in Owen Sound, Ontario.

He was administered CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used on site at the arena before he was transported to a local hospital in Owen Sound.

Treliving said he’s has been in communication with MacLean’s agent, Anton Thun, who has indicated that MacLean was awake and speaking with doctors.

“He’s communicating today and there are signs of improvement,” he said. “He’s still within that window of 24-48 hours, but so far the news has been encouraging.”

“There has been some talk today that they hope to move him out of ICU later this evening.”

Treliving also said that medical staff still hasn’t determined the cause as to why MacLean collapsed and that further test would be run as soon as possible.

“They still need to run some test to see why (MacLean collapsed), but they wanted to slow things down a little bit and give his body a chance to rest.”

MacLean began the season with the Winnipeg Jets after he was claimed on waivers from the Coyotes. After five games in the NHL, MacLean was placed back on waivers by the Jets and reclaimed by the Coyotes and assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, where he appeared in 63 games, posting
25 goals, 23 assists for 48 points.

“So far we are getting the best news we could have hoped for under the circumstances,” said Treliving.