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Oilers goalie Alex Stalock likely to miss entire season with heart condition

Stalock contracted COVID-19 before the start of the shortened 2021 campaign and didn't appear in a single game last season. (Getty)
Stalock contracted COVID-19 before the start of the shortened 2021 campaign and didn't appear in a single game last season. (Getty) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Alex Stalock is likely to miss the entire upcoming NHL season because of a heart condition.

Stalock, who contracted COVID-19 prior to the shortened 2021 campaign, has seen multiple cardiologists and is currently seeking additional medical opinions, according to Oilers general manager Ken Holland.

Holland spoke to the media on the opening day of Oilers training camp on Wednesday, and said that this particular condition was possibly detected by doctors at the end of last season when Stalock returned home for additional testing following the team's year-end physicals.

After contracting the coronavirus last November, Stalock revealed to The Athletic that he was subsequently diagnosed with myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart muscle, which can lead to cardiac arrest. He was reportedly told by doctors to rest for six weeks before visiting a specialist in Boston who gave the netminder the all-clear to begin working out and skating again.

Stalock spent time on Edmonton's taxi squad after the team claimed him off waivers from Minnesota in March but, when all was said and done, Stalock didn't suit up for any games last season with either the Oilers or Wild.

The 34-year-old has spent time with the Sharks, Leafs, Wild and Oilers organizations, amassing a 61-49-18 record, 2.61 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 151 career NHL games.

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