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4/11/2016 Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano tells The Associated Press he feels vindicated for pushing concerns regarding hits to the forefront of NHL agenda i… News Advertising E‐Edition Photos Web Extras Contact Us For Subscribers Sign‐In Publications Search Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano tells The Associated Press he feels vindicated for pushing concerns regarding hits to the forefront of NHL agenda in 2007 By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer AAA First Posted: April 06, 2016 ­ 3:35 pm Last Updated: April 06, 2016 ­ 3:36 pm Photos: BUFFALO, New York — Upon reflection, former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano is pleased knowing the public stink he raised over hits to the head have played a role in cleaning up the NHL game nearly a decade later. That it took so long for the league to FILE ­ In this Feb. 3, 2011, file photo, take action is another matter. Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano speaks during a news conference announcing the sale of the NHL hockey "I do have a feeling of vindication," team in Buffalo, N.Y. During the 2006­07 Golisano told The Associated Press on season, a concussion sustained by Sabres co­captain Chris Drury — as a Wednesday. "I feel real good about it. I result of a blindside check by Ottawa's feel it's a contribution that at least I Chris Neil — placed hits to the head at the forefront of the NHL agenda. It helped with." began with then­Sabres owner Tom Golisano's letter urging NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to re­ Golisano helped push the issue of examine the rules after the league blindside checks to the forefront of the informed Buffalo that Neil's hit was legal. (AP Photo/David Duprey, File) NHL agenda during the 2006­07 season. He went public in releasing a letter to Gary Bettman, urging the NHL commissioner to re­examine league rules in a bid to outlaw blindside hits. The letter was prompted after the league informed the Sabres that Ottawa forward Chris Neil would not be FILE ­ In this Feb. 22, 2007, file photo, Buffalo Sabres' Chris Drury (23) is disciplined for a hit that led to Buffalo helped by a trainer after suffering an co­captain Chris Drury sustaining a injury to his forehead during the second period of the NHL hockey game against concussion and deep cut across his the Ottawa Senators at HSBC Arena in face. Drury had just released a shot in Buffalo, N.Y. During the 2006­07 season, a concussion sustained by Sabres co­ the Senators zone, when Neil drove in captain Chris Drury — as a result of a from the right side and used his blindside check by Ottawa's Chris Neil â €” placed hits to the head at the shoulder to catch an unsuspecting Drury forefront of the NHL agenda. It began We also have more stories about: with then­Sabres owner Tom Golisano's across the jaw. (click the phrases to see a list) letter urging NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to re­examine the rules after People: the league informed Buffalo that Neil's "There is nothing manly about hitting a hit was legal.(AP Photo/David Duprey) player that you can't see," Golisano Anton Stralman (2) Brent Burns (4) wrote. "There is nothing good to come Bryan Little (2) of a policy that allows exciting, skilled Chris Drury (1) Chris Neil (5) players to be targets for what I believe Chris Pronger (2) http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/ecc5bb1f5d8d44628e29f8dae6a27ba7/HKN--Around-The-NHL 1/3 4/11/2016 Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano tells The Associated Press he feels vindicated for pushing concerns regarding hits to the forefront of NHL agenda i… to be predatory play." Craig Anderson (2) Ed Snider (1) Gary Bettman (7) Concerns were raised further during the Kris Letang (7) Patrick Kane (6) 2007 Stanley Cup final, when Anaheim Thomas Golisano (2) defenseman Chris Pronger was suspended for one game after elbowing Organizations: Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head. Buffalo Sabres (7) NHL Metropolitan Division (8) Pittsburgh Penguins (12) Golisano's letter became a prime topic National Hockey League (18) FILE ­ In this Sept. 17, 2007 file photo, of discussion for the league's NHL Atlantic Division (46) Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano, NHL Eastern Conference (63) right, and NHL Commissioner Gary competition committee on June 15, Bettman wait for a news conference to Subjects: begin announcing a New Year's day according to meeting minutes that were hockey game in Orchard Park, N.Y. among hundreds of documents Head injuries (17) During the 2006­07 season, a unsealed last week as evidence in the Sports medicine (20) concussion sustained by Sabres co­ Injuries (73) captain Chris Drury — as a result of a class­action concussion lawsuit filed Professional hockey (150) blindside check by Ottawa's Chris Neil â Men's hockey (160) €” placed hits to the head at the against the NHL by former players. forefront of the NHL agenda. It began Hockey (179) with then­Sabres owner Tom Golisano's Sports governance (196) letter urging NHL Commissioner Gary "Gary Bettman states that the starting Media and entertainment industry (314) Bettman to re­examine the rules after point for the discussion needs to be: Is Athlete injuries (779) the league informed Buffalo that Neil's Sports business (784) hit was legal. (AP Photo/Don Heupel, there a problem? How do we define the Athlete health (800) File) problem? Do we want to do anything Health (1477) Men's sports (2326) about this problem?" the minutes read. Industries (3909) Places: Rangers forward and future NHL department of player safety chief Ottawa (15) Buffalo (89) Brendan Shanahan is quoted saying the Ontario (100) league "should come down hard on Canada (316) New York (1742) players through supplementary discipline when they hit 'dirty.'" NHL Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Carl Players' Association representative Stu Hagelin (62) celebrates his game winning goal with teammates while Grimson said Neil's hit was difficult to taking on the Ottawa Senators during assess because Drury was not "unfairly vulnerable" after he had just taken a the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 5, 2016 in Ottawa, shot. Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT The minutes cite a consensus being reached, suggesting the rule should address whether a hit was late, the player struck was "unfairly vulnerable," and whether the hitter stalked his opponent and had a prior history of illegal checks. All these points became part of "Rule 48: Illegal Check to the Head," introduced to the rulebook for the 2010­11 season. It took the league three years to put it in writing. "It's strange that it took so long," said Golisano, who also raised concerns at the Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, league's board of governors meeting in 2007. "That's too bad, but I guess we can top, goes airborne after slamming Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett look back at it and say, 'At least they did it now.'" Pesce (54) to the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Tuesday, April 5, 2016. (AP Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff says there have been discussions Photo/Charles Krupa) regarding several gray areas to what's deemed an illegal check to the head after Jets forward Bryan Little was sidelined by a season­ending back injury in February. Little sustained a compression fracture to his vertebrae when he dropped his head briefly and was struck by Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman in the neutral zone. "It's a fine line," Cheveldayoff said. Dr. John Leddy, a University at Buffalo clinical professor of orthopedics, hesitates in faulting the NHL for being slow to react. "Could it have happened faster? Well, maybe," Leddy said. "But I don't think people should be criticized 10 and 20 and 30 years ago for treating concussions differently back then because nobody really knew what concussions were or how serious they were." Leddy received funding assistance from the Sabres on concussion research because of his work spurring Buffalo center Tim Connolly's recovery from head and neck injuries in 2007. More than 100 former players have joined the class­action lawsuit alleging the NHL had the resources to better prevent head trauma, failed to properly warn players of such risks and promoted violent play that led to their http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/ecc5bb1f5d8d44628e29f8dae6a27ba7/HKN--Around-The-NHL 2/3 4/11/2016 Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano tells The Associated Press he feels vindicated for pushing concerns regarding hits to the forefront of NHL agenda i… injuries. MORE MINUTES It turns out that concerns over a drop in offense — and proposals of bigger nets and smaller goalie equipment — are nothing new. During the 2007 competition committee meeting, Bettman noted scoring dropping to an average 5.9 goals per game from 6.2 the previous season, and favored altering goalie equipment. The minutes cite Bettman saying: "The sooner we can get this change in place, the better." The minutes of the 2005 meeting feature Flyers owner Ed Snider discussing the option of increasing the size of nets and suggesting: "We keep changing rules to get more offensive and more scoring, and we haven't been successful in the past." Goalie pads are getting another look this season. SLUMPING The Avalanche skidded out of playoff contention with a 4­3 loss at Nashville on Tuesday night. It was their fourth straight loss and sixth in seven games.

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