McAmmond says he's lucky to be 'normal'

[Habsfan84]

Two days after being knocked out by a hit to the head from Flyers' Steve Downie, Senators forward Dean McAmmond spoke to TSN at Scotiabank Place.
"I don't think I have concussion problems. I have a history of guys giving me traumatic blows to the head, that's what I have a problem with. I was lifeless there, I was pretty grateful that I'm pretty much normal know," McAmmond said.
The NHL is reviewing the incident but are not expected to take any action until they have a full report. Downie will have a hearing on Friday.
McAmmond was coming around the net in the second period of Tuesday night's exhibition game and had just released the puck when he was clobbered by the 20-year-old Downie. McAmmond was taken off on a stretcher.
The Senators forward was carried off on a stretcher, but the Senators announced yesterday that there were no fractures. Downie received a match penalty - which means an automatic and indefinite suspension pending a review.
Downie said Tuesday's hit wasn't premeditated and he did not intend to go for McAmmond's head.
"I didn't mean to hurt him and I hope he's OK," Downie said following the game. "My game's to hit and to finish the check. I'm just trying to earn a spot on the roster. It's part of my game and I apologize for him getting hurt. I thought I got him clean. Once we hit the boards after, I asked if he was okay."
McAmmond also had a concussion after a hit by Anaheim defenceman Chris Pronger in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final last June.
Senators head coach John Paddock believes the league needs to come down hard on Downie, who has yet to play a regular season game in the NHL.
"I think for the good of Steve Downey. He needs to be suspended for a long time. We were cheering for him the last two christmas times (World Junior Championships) and he was a big factor. We we're cheering his clean hits and we wouldn't be cheering for something like that.
"I think this kid is the kind of player every team in the league wants, but you have to have control. To me for him to be in the NHL when he is 24-years-old, I think the league takes probably the most important thing in his life away from him for a while, Paddock said.
"I think he is a young guy who unfortunatley we all know his history in the OHL and stuff probably hockey is the most important, take it away from him, so hopefully he remembers, I think it would be the best thing for him so he can be playing in the league when he is 24 years old."
Senators tough guy Brian McGratton who attempted to get Downie after the hit, issued a warning following the game Tuesday night.
"He'll get what's coming to him next time we play him, that's for sure." McGratton said.
When pressed Thursday morning about his comments, McGratton did not shy away.
"I don't beat around the bush. I'm not the guy who whips out cliche after cliche you are going to get a straight answer out of me. At least I'm telling him I'm going to do it I'm not going to blindside him or hit him from behind."
"That kid may get away with that stuff in junior but he won't get away with it in this league, not for long, I just hope he gets dealt with the right way."

[Drury77]

Steve Downie should be suspended for at minimum 25 games, and even more IMO, cuz this is worse than what Simon did, and he got 25.

Downie is a punk and McAmmond is lucky. I'm glad he's gonna be ok, but this kind of stuff needs to stop.

Take out the dang instigating rule and a lot of this crap will stop. Guys will be forced to respect each other again.

[Habsfan84]

I think he should be also suspended a long time. He will probably only get 15 even though i think that that is a bit low.
He took adavntage of someones head and hit with his elbow. The guy didnt even have the puck. He left his feet during the hit and if the NHL does not do a long suspension I will be disapointed.

Since I live near Windsor i saw this guy play and he was a gifted player but had little discipline. He's the one that started all that crap and ruined the Season for the Windsor Spitfires. He got the Spits fined, Got the Coach fired, Made himself leave which was a huge loss for Windsor. He also made key Windsor prospect Akim Aliu Leave as well. This all because of him basically bullying the Rookies. That little **** is a player I do not like very much. Now a guy from windsor that is a good example of a real true hockey player is Ex-Spitfire Jason Spezza. Now thats a darn good player.