Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby said Monday he supports calls for a ban on head shots in hockey, the same day he took to the ice for the first time since suffering a concussion in January and NHL general managers announced a new concussion protocol.
Crosby, dressed in full hockey gear, practiced for about 15 minutes at the Consol Energy Centre, taking part in a skating drill and firing a few shots on net.
Crosby was first injured during the NHL's Winter Classic on New Year's Day, when he was hit by then Capitals forward David Steckel. Crosby played in the Penguins' next game, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Jan. 5, when he was hit by Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman. Since then, Crosby has suffered from post-concussion symptoms and hasn't played another game.
Asked by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review whether he supports the growing chorus for a ban on head shots in the NHL, Crosby replied: "I'd like to say yes."
He added: "But it's more than just saying that. There's obviously got to be some clarity."
"Everything's got to be looked at. It's a pretty fast game. There may be times when guys maybe don't (aim) for the head but come into contact with the head. What do you do in that situation?
"As far as deliberate head shots, you don't lose anything from the game if you take that away. You don't lose anything at all. If a guy has enough time to line someone up, then he's got enough time to decide if he's going to hit the head or not."
Crosby's comments corresponded with the start of the NHL general managers' meetings in Florida. The executives are under increasing pressure to address the issue of head shots in the game in the wake of dozens of concussions suffered by players this season. The chorus grew louder last week after Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens suffered a concussion and a fractured vertebra in his neck after being hammered into a stanchion by Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara.
In response to the outcry, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced a new protocol on Monday that calls for every player exhibiting concussion-like symptoms to go to the dressing room and be assessed by a doctor. The current guidelines allow a player to remain on the bench and be assessed by a trainer. The new protocol will take effect within a week.
During last year's meetings, the GMs introduced Rule 48, a ban on blind-side hits. With GMs continuing to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, there may yet be more to come on the issue of head shots and concussions.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Crosby called his health problems "scary" but said he has learned to listen to his body and ensure his doctors know exactly how he's feeling.
"It's a matter of time and I'm waiting for everything to feel better," he said. "That's what you deal with injuries and when it's your head, even more so. But it's been kind of a learning process that way."
Crosby said despite his return to the ice, a timeline for his return to NHL action has yet to be determined.
Crosby said he has made progress in the last few days, riding an exercise bike without suffering any symptoms. His doctors were sufficiently encouraged to allow him to skate.
"I have no clue," Crosby said about a return to the game. "I'm not thinking too far ahead as far as a time frame. I just want to get better. This is part of the way to do that. I'm just kind of taking that step and seeing how it goes."
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
