Cunningham was back at Gila River Arena on Saturday, where he dropped the ceremonial first puck before the Arizona Coyotes played the Minnesota Wild, receiving an outpouring of love from his former teammates and a standing ovation from fans.
"It's been a long journey," Cunningham said. "I hoped I would be walking into this building with my (hockey) bag. But I realize that I'm lucky to be here. Between Tucson and Phoenix fans and the whole hockey world, the support I've gotten has just been incredible.
"It's been an indescribable couple of months. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's been tough. I used to think the season got long and was a bit of a grind, but it can't compare to everyday life. It feels so long ago that I was in a hospital bed with 10 different IVs in me trying to reach for my phone and not being able to."
Doctors said his recovery is at a great pace and is coming along smoothly. He was 160 pounds when he left the hospital and is now at 185. He's back in the gym, and now back on the ice.
"[Doctors] still don't know what caused the accident or what happened," he said. "I've probably had about a thousand blood tests."
After two months in the hospital, a stint in a rehab facility and weeks in outpatient rehab, his independence is returning and he's hopeful a job with the Coyotes organization is on the horizon.
"I'd like to start [scouting] back in Calgary," Cunningham said. "I know the area and I'd like to help the organization that has been so incredible to me."
