Senators Article: Tapper in a hurry to get back with B-Sens; Winger's good year slowed by concussion
February 21, 2004

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

Tapper in a hurry to get back with B-Sens

Winger's good year slowed by concussion

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Brad Tapper skates fast and speaks faster, and judging from his mile-a-minute gabbing Friday, he's desperate to resume playing with the Binghamton Senators after suffering a Grade 3 concussion (Grade 4 is the worst) that has left him in "a dream-like state" for the past two weeks.

"I'm rushing myself," Tapper said after practicing for more than an hour and insisting he felt better than he has since taking an elbow to the head from Hershey's Shane Willis. "I hate to sit out. I get sick watching from the press box. If I rush back and it's too fast, oh well, it's a chance I'll take."

Realistically, the Senators medical staff won't let Tapper take that risk. So while he's aiming to play Sunday in Springfield or Monday night in Manchester, he'll be held back if he's not fully healthy.

Of course, only Tapper will know when that is. He's had two concussions before, but never quite like this. He lost consciousness for less than a minute after being hit by Willis in the second period Feb. 6, and until the television in his hospital room was turned on later that night, he couldn't recall scoring two goals in the first period.

The past 15 days have been hellish for Tapper, who has suffered from intense irritability -- "I was snapping at my wife," he said -- and has watched as several healthy teammates have been called up by injured-riddled Ottawa.

"That was me last year in Atlanta," said Tapper, traded to the Senators on Jan. 6. "You feel like you're not part of a team, not being able to help your teammates, your family, out there. You just don't feel like yourself."

Tapper, 25, was the best version of himself prior to the concussion. Senators coach John Paddock had put him on the right side with rookie center Brooks Laich and struggling winger Alexandre Giroux, and they became the team's best line.

Now Laich is gone -- traded to the Capitals this week for five-time NHL all-star Peter Bondra -- and Tapper's world is cloudy.

"I know I'm not going to be 100 percent when I come back, but I'm going to try to avoid as many checks as I can until I feel right," Tapper said. "I was on such a roll that I'm rushing to get back."

And what about Willis, who is finished serving his five-game suspension and will be available to play next Sunday when the Senators visit Hershey?

"Suspensions should last for as long as the (injured) guy is out," Tapper said. "He's back playing, and I'm still out. That's wrong. But in hockey, you don't forget. I can't do anything (next Sunday) because I can't risk getting hurt, but I'll get my chance at him next year."