Jay Bouwmeester undergoes surgery following cardiac event

By Dave Skretta The Associated Press

5 years ago

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester skates against the Colorado Avalanche during the thi ... — St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester skates against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Jan. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, file)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Jones, second from right, greets two members of the St. Louis Blues after Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester suffered a medical emergency that caused the game to be postponed during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Officials leave the ice after the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the St. Louis Blues was postponed following a medical emergency involving Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Jay Bouwmeester had surgery Friday to insert a defibrillator to restore his heart’s normal rhythm after the St. Louis Blues defenseman collapsed on the bench during a game in Anaheim this week.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said the procedure was performed at the UC Irvine Medical Center. The 36-year-old Bouwmeester will be monitored by a team of specialists at the hospital until he is cleared to return to St. Louis.

Then Bouwmeester will be monitored by doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University.

Bouwmeester had just completed a shift against the Ducks on Tuesday night when he collapsed on the bench. The veteran defenseman was unresponsive and doctors quickly used a defibrillator to restore his heart beat. Bouwmeester also regained consciousness before he was taken by ambulance to an Anaheim hospital.