charlio lemieux
9-23-05, 12:53 AM
11:38 PM EDT, 09/22/2005
Atlanta Thrashers forward Patrik Stefan released from hospital
ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Thrashers forward Patrik Stefan will miss at least a week after sustaining a concussion in a pre-season game.
Stefan was released from a hospital in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, one day after a frightening collision with Carolina's Erik Cole. A CT scan showed the concussion, so he won't be allowed to play for seven days.
"I don't think it will be much longer than that," coach Bob Hartley said after a 4-3 loss to Florida. "But they're really being cautious. As soon as a guy gets a concussion, he sits out for seven days."
Considering Stefan's history of concussions, the Thrashers will take no chances with the former first-round pick.
"You don't play with a head injury," Hartley said. "You can come back from a broken leg, but ... a head injury could cost a guy his career."
Stefan collided with Cole while both were going for the puck in the third period of Wednesday night's game. The Atlanta player was knocked unconscious and had to be carried off the ice on a stretcher after an eight-minute delay.
Stefan spent the night in the hospital before returning to Atlanta.
"I think he's going to be OK," Hartley said. "From the way he looked on the ice and when he left the ice to this afternoon, it's amazing."
Meanwhile, goalie Kari Lehtonen is expected to resume skating in the next day or two after straining his groin in a scrimmage last week. The 21-year-old Finn is expected to take over as the Thrashers' top goalie, but has yet to play a game in the preseason.
The team is hopeful that Lehtonen will get into at least one game before the Oct. 5 opener.
Concussions already.
Atlanta Thrashers forward Patrik Stefan released from hospital
ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Thrashers forward Patrik Stefan will miss at least a week after sustaining a concussion in a pre-season game.
Stefan was released from a hospital in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, one day after a frightening collision with Carolina's Erik Cole. A CT scan showed the concussion, so he won't be allowed to play for seven days.
"I don't think it will be much longer than that," coach Bob Hartley said after a 4-3 loss to Florida. "But they're really being cautious. As soon as a guy gets a concussion, he sits out for seven days."
Considering Stefan's history of concussions, the Thrashers will take no chances with the former first-round pick.
"You don't play with a head injury," Hartley said. "You can come back from a broken leg, but ... a head injury could cost a guy his career."
Stefan collided with Cole while both were going for the puck in the third period of Wednesday night's game. The Atlanta player was knocked unconscious and had to be carried off the ice on a stretcher after an eight-minute delay.
Stefan spent the night in the hospital before returning to Atlanta.
"I think he's going to be OK," Hartley said. "From the way he looked on the ice and when he left the ice to this afternoon, it's amazing."
Meanwhile, goalie Kari Lehtonen is expected to resume skating in the next day or two after straining his groin in a scrimmage last week. The 21-year-old Finn is expected to take over as the Thrashers' top goalie, but has yet to play a game in the preseason.
The team is hopeful that Lehtonen will get into at least one game before the Oct. 5 opener.
Concussions already.