Ondrej Pavelec returns to practice after collapsing in opener

Ondrej Pavelec started breaking in a new chest protector Tuesday.

His old one, along with his jersey and pants, were cut off when he was rushed to the hospital Oct. 8 after he lost consciousness and collapsed minutes into the Thrashers' season opener.

“I was so excited to go back [on the ice] and see how it would go,” Pavelec said after taking part in half the team’s practice. “It was pretty good. It was only 30 minutes, but I felt good.”

After a battery of tests over days, doctors concluded that Pavelec had a neurocardiogenic syncope episode, commonly referred to as a fainting spell. He subsequently hit his head on the ice and suffered a concussion. The goaltender said Tuesday that doctors have not determined the cause of the incident.

“They said I just fainted," Pavelec said. "It’s nothing serious, and hopefully it will never happen again. They said I’m ready to go. I need some practice to get into game shape. This was the first time. Hopefully the last time.

“They said there are so many reasons it could have happened, but they couldn’t find it. A lot of times it will never happen again. Hopefully, it never happens again.”

Pavelec, 23, said there is no family history of fainting spells.

There is no timetable for Pavelec to return. Tuesday was about getting on the ice and facing some goaltending duties.

“I’m medically cleared right now, but it will take time to get into game shape. They didn’t say when I’m going to be back. Hopefully as soon as possible. I need a couple more practices.”

Pavelec said he did not expect to be ready for either of the team’s upcoming two games -- Wednesday against Buffalo and Friday against Tampa Bay. Coach Craig Ramsay said he did not expect Pavelec to need a rehab start at AHL Chicago.

“It’s possible,” Ramsay said. “That would be up to the trainers, if they can’t get him ready in the short-term. I think facing the work we do at practice, we can simulate enough game situations.”

Pavelec said he suffered headaches for three or four days from the concussion. He underwent a final neuro-psych test two hours before Tuesday’s practice and expected the results later in the day.

“I’m sick of it,” Pavelec said of all the testing. “I don’t want to see the hospital again.”

Pavelec collapsed 2 minutes, 25 seconds into the game against Washington. He lay motionless while being attended to by doctors and removed on a stretcher. He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from the hospital that when he awoke in an ambulance, he could not feel his legs and had no memory of playing in the game. He regained consciousness en route to the hospital and the feeling in his legs returned in the emergency room. He was held for observation for two days and released Oct. 10.

Teammates first saw Pavelec on Monday when he went through a short off-ice workout and set about getting new equipment -- like the chest protector he has worn the past two years.

“Everyone was pretty happy to see him,” fellow goaltender Chris Mason said. “We haven’t seen him since the incident. It was great to see him up, back around and smiling.

“When something like that happens, I’m sure those are the only questions you are answering. It gets taxing explaining the same story over and over and over again. … It’s nice for him to get back to the norm, out of the ice and feeling at home again.”