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Grand Rapids Griffins Player Has Seizure During Game

GRAND RAPIDS (CBS Detroit) -- Fans held their collective breath at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday night as a scary scene unfolded during a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game.

Alden Hirschfeld, 27, collapsed on the bench during the second period of Friday's AHL game against the Milwaukee Admirals. It later was found that Hirschfeld suffered a seizure and was taken to an area hospital.

The Griffins released a statement regarding the incident, saying that Hirschfeld was in stable condition.

"Grand Rapids Griffins forward Alden Hirschfeld suffered a medical incident on the team's bench with 6:19 remaining in the second period of tonight's game against the Milwaukee Admirals at Van Andel Arena. After being attended to by paramedics and Griffins medical and training staffs, he was transported to a local hospital in stable condition for further evaluation. More information will be made available as warranted.

The game was temporarily suspended with the Griffins leading 4-1. The teams went to their locker rooms while the ice was resurfaced, and play recently resumed with 6:19 remaining in the second period."

Alden Hirschfeld
Alden Hirschfeld with coach Todd Nelson on Saturday morning (photo: Grand Rapids Griffins)

Hirschfeld was visited by coaches and teammates on Saturday before being released from the hospital and travel home with his family to Toledo. He released a statement shortly after.

"I'm feeling good. Obviously it was unfortunate what happened, but those are things that life brings and you've got to learn to deal with them," Hirschfeld said. "I'm super thankful for all the kind words and thoughts and prayers from the fans, and especially the efforts of the paramedics, doctors and (Griffins athletic trainer) John Bernal. It was great to have my parents, my wife and daughter there to be with me.

"I'm feeling good, obviously trying to just recover and take it easy for a couple days here, get some further evaluations from the doctors and then go from there," Hirschfeld said. "But hopefully I'll be back on the ice very shortly and contributing to help whatever team I'm playing for win."

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