Thrashers' Pavelec Faints at Season Opener

(NewsCore) - The Atlanta Thrashers announced goalie Ondrej Pavelec suffered a neurocardio syncope episode which caused him to lose consciousness and collapse during the team’s season opener on Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday.

Pavelec, who has been placed on injured reserve, was released from the hospital Sunday after suffering a concussion when he collapsed to the ice against the Washington Capitals.

The 23-year-old Czech became unconscious shortly after the start of the game. He was carried off the ice on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital, where he woke up "asking about the score of the game," the team said.

The third-year NHL shot stopper will reportedly undergo further heart and blood tests before he can be medically cleared to play.

Read more: Atlantic Journal-Constitution