The Avalanche will not learn more about the heart condition of left wing Steve Konowalchuk until later this week.
Konowalchuk, 33, was sidelined Friday after an electrocardiogram revealed a heart abnormality. The Avalanche said Konowalchuk has not had any further testing, and won’t know more until more tests are performed this week, probably at an out-of-state medical clinic.
The Avs gave no more specifics about what caused Konowalchuk’s abnormality. Heart problems derailed the career last season of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer, who collapsed on the bench during a game and hasn’t played since. A heart problem also forced Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux to retire last season. Former Rockies pitcher Darryl Kile died prematurely from heart-related problems. Other athletes who have died include Hank Gathers, Reggie Lewis and Jason Collier.
“We just have to wait and see, still,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said.
Konowalchuk’s brother, Brian, a former hockey player at the University of Denver, is a physician currently practicing in Minnesota.
Chip off the old block
Quenneville came away raving about former DU star Paul Stastny, who is participating in his first Avs camp.
“He’s certainly done some nice things with the puck,” Quenneville said. “He sees the ice very well.”
Quenneville said it is much too soon to compare Stastny to his father, Peter, a Hall of Famer who starred for the Quebec Nordiques. Stastny is a longshot to make the Avs roster this season, but Quenneville said it isn’t out of the question.
Quenneville painfully remembers what it was like to play against his father.
“There were a lot of minus nights,” said Quenneville, a former defenseman.
Footnote
Quenneville said defenseman Jordan Leopold, originally forecast to be out until November following hernia surgery, should miss only the first three to five games of the regular season.
