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Nathan Horton is concussion symptom-free and ready to start the season

Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates winning the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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After we all saw Nathan Horton’s run in the Stanley Cup finals come to an abrupt end thanks to a concussion due to a brutal blindside hit from Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome, you had to wonder just when Horton might be able to get back on the ice. After all, with how concussions are taken more seriously and the other players Boston has seen come under the gun thanks to them (Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron) it could’ve taken a while.

Turns out that Horton is feeling great and is finally symptom-free from the brutal blow and is set to open up training camp with the Bruins to prepare for next season. Horton told NHL.com’s Matt Kalman, “I’ll definitely be ready,” he said. “I’d be ready right now if we started.”

Having Horton ready to go helps eliminate any forward issues the Bruins could’ve had otherwise on their top lines. With the departure of Michael Ryder to Dallas in free agency, Mark Recchi’s retirement, and with Brad Marchand still unsigned as a restricted free agent the early going in training camp at right wing could’ve proved to be a bit empty. With the Bruins only adding Benoit Pouliot in the offseason, they’ll be relying a lot on their depth in the system to get things done. They’ll also be looking for Tyler Seguin to have a big second season in the league.

Horton did have one thing to say about the situation from Game 3 that saw Rome take him out of the finals. While Rome did send Horton a text message to apologize for what happened, much like how breaking up with your significant other via text isn’t kosher, neither is saying, “My bad” for nearly ruining a guy’s career as Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe found out.

As usual, Horton was all smiles. But when asked whether Rome had contacted him after the wallop, Horton was quick to dismiss the defenseman’s method of communication: text.

“If it was me, I wouldn’t have thrown a text message someone’s way,” Horton said. “I’d have a little bit more respect to actually make a phone call.”


We’ve no doubts that a phone call in such a situation is more than awkward, but given how things shook out and the extreme high profile of the play, Horton’s right. We’ll remember that next time we find ourselves in a similar situation. With how that whole thing broke down, it probably wouldn’t have hurt Rome to actually call him but as things go in the playoffs when battle lines are drawn, direct apologies don’t always (or ever) happen. Kris Draper might still be waiting for an apology from Claude Lemieux.

That’s not a good excuse for Rome, it’s just how things happen. Considering how guys will go gunning for a prone player, it shouldn’t be too shocking that the lack of common courtesy or tact extends to how it goes off the ice as well. Of course, Rome paid for his mistake in that he was suspended for the rest of the finals and his hit emboldened the Bruins to bring them together to beat Vancouver in seven games to win it all. You might not believe in karmic retribution but that’s about as close as it gets.

All that aside, it’s great to see Horton doing well especially after all the concussion news around the league of late has been nothing but bad or confusing. Here’s to hoping Horton can avoid further problems in the future.