Pat LaFontaine Brings Knowledge, Concern to Concussion Discussions

by Christopher Botta

Filed under: Islanders, Rangers, Sabres, NHL Injuries

Sometimes the correspondence is with an NHL executive such as Bruins president Cam Neely. After all, when Pat LaFontaine suffered his last concussion 12 years ago, Boston center Marc Savard was on that Rangers team. LaFontaine wants Neely to know he's always available for advice, or just an encouraging word.

Sometimes the call comes from the parent of a youth hockey player battling with Post-Concussion Syndrome. LaFontaine, now 45 and living in New York, is a youth hockey parent himself. He coaches his 15-year-old son's team, the Long Island Royals, with the help of former Islanders wing Steve Webb.

Sometimes it's a member of the United States armed forces on the other end of the phone. Dr. James Kelly, the physician who cleared LaFontaine after his first major concussion and convinced him to retire after his final one, now works with the military in the treatment of soldiers with traumatic brain injuries. When Kelly needs the eternally optimistic LaFontaine to speak with a patient, the Hockey Hall of Famer always takes the call.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/01/pat-lafontaine-brings-knowledge-concern-to-concussion-discussio/

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