Senators Artcles: Concussion hampers B-Sens' Komadoski
April 23, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Concussion hampers B-Sens' Komadoski

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- The headaches haven't stopped coming, so Neil Komadoski is leaving.

Komadoski, the Binghamton Senators' rookie defenseman, has an appointment with a neurologist Monday in Ottawa to get a detailed diagnosis for the concussion that has kept him sidelined since March 26 in Norfolk. He hasn't gone seven days without post-concussion symptoms, so he hasn't been cleared to resume skating, even in practice.

"It's not a knee or an ankle. It's your head, so you can't be too careful," Komadoski said.

Komadoski, 23, said this is the first known concussion of his career. He recalled coming here last March after completing his college career and watching former Senators winger Brad Tapper grapple with the after-effects of two concussions that kept him out for the playoffs.

"Everyone's different. That's the frustrating thing," said Komadoski, unable to put a timetable on his return. "Hopefully, they can give me some idea of what I'm looking at."

In Komadoski's absence, the Senators signed defenseman Trevor Johnson to a tryout contract. Johnson, who spent most of the season with the ECHL's South Carolina Stringrays, will serve as the seventh defenseman.

HAVING HIS FUN

Chris Neil has played with some good teams, including an Ottawa Senators club that reached the Eastern Conference finals in the Stanley Cup playoffs two seasons ago. Few have ever gotten on a better roll than the one Binghamton took into Game 1 of the East Division semifinals Friday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

"It's been exciting to come to the rink every day," said Neil, the rugged winger who signed with the Senators on March 1. "A lot of guys on this team have been through training camps together, and everyone's bonded really well. It's been a blast."

BACK TO SCHOOL?

Patrick Eaves, Ottawa's first-round draft pick (29th overall) in 2003, has been selected to captain Boston College next season, an appointment that may persuade him to return for his senior year rather than to turn pro.

The Senators had hoped Eaves would sign following his sophomore season. Instead, he was the Hockey East Player of the Year after scoring 14 goals and 16 assists in 22 conference games.

SLAP SHOTS

Before the game, Jason Spezza was presented with the John B. Sollenberger Award as the AHL's leading scorer in the regular season. Spezza had 32 goals and 85 assists. ... Former Senators winger Alexander Giroux scored twice Thursday in Hartford's series-opening, 5-2 win over Lowell. Giroux scored 19 goals for the Senators last season before traded to the New York Rangers for defenseman Greg de Vries.