Opinions differ on Booth’s concussion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2009 (6203 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers forward David Booth flew back to South Florida on Sunday after spending the previous night in a Philadelphia hospital because of a concussion.

Booth suffered his first concussion when Flyers centre Mike Richards, skating full speed, drove his left shoulder into Booth’s jaw late in the second period of the Panthers’ 5-1 loss at Wachovia Center. The NHL decided not to suspend Richards for the hit Sunday, to the dismay of the Panthers, whose frustration over the incident was eased from learning Booth was feeling better.

Panthers general manager Randy Sexton said Booth also suffered a cut above one eye that required stitches, but there was no other injury to Booth’s head or neck. Sexton said the 24-year-old winger was “clearly coherent” during a 10-minute phone conversation.

“He was positive. He was upbeat. You know sometimes when you talk to a guy after a concussion and he’s a little dull? He wasn’t dull at all.”

However, Mike Booth, who along with his wife, Karen, also spoke to his son by phone Sunday, told the Sun Sentinel David sounded “a little groggy.”

“He was wondering when the headache was going to go away and asked me, ‘How long do you think I’m going to be out?’ ” Mike Booth said. “One of his friends from Michigan State who was at the game went to the hospital and stayed with him, and he didn’t remember him being there.” Mike Booth said his son didn’t remember anything about the hit that left him unconscious on the ice for a few minutes.

Players and Sexton said Richards hit Booth high knowing he was in a vulnerable position, but Richards told reporters after the game no there was malicious intent. “I’m never out there to hurt anyone,” Richards said. “I have respect for the game and respect for the players. My concern is with him.”

Peter DeBoer said Richards, whom he coached in juniors, sent him a text message after Saturday’s game expressing concern about Booth. Sexton said he spoke with the NHL’s hockey operations Sunday morning and strongly expressed his concerns about Richards’ hit. He said he was told the hit didn’t meet suspension criteria.

NHL vice-president Bill Daly wrote in an e-mail to the Sun Sentinel: “It was determined the hit was within acceptable league standards for the time between release of the puck and contact. In simple terms, it did not constitute a ‘late hit’ for purposes of supplementary discipline.”

— McClatchy Newspapers