Shots from the Point--still more concussion talk

Our Captain Kruise Reddick is back on the ice, but also recognizes that he needed to be out for that extended time for his noggin to heal.  From Sportsnet.ca:

This was Reddick's second career concussion after suffering his first two years earlier. Reddick came back early from his first concussion which he suffered shortly before the holiday season. After spending the holidays at home, Reddick stepped back in the lineup, but was forced to wait another four weeks before making his permanent return to the lineup.

"(I was) thinking I was ready to play, but things just weren't right and I just wasn't myself during that game and could tell something wasn't right," Reddick recalled. "I just had to sit out longer and make sure I was 100 per cent."

Perhaps the scariest part was the concussion's aftermath. After coming back to his senses, Reddick asked to go back on the ice, but was overruled by the team.

"I felt pretty good and I wanted to go back out there and play, but an hour and a half or two hours later it kind of kicks in," he said. "I think I had a headache that night and was feeling not myself."

The concussion wasn't so severe that his headaches forced him to sleep more than usual, he said, and Reddick was able to function as he normally would for the most part.

Finally, his body let him know when he was ready to return.

"A light went off and you just kind of feel back to yourself," he said. "You're not drowsy or kind of tired or bored or stuff like that. It kind of clicks and then it all comes back to you and you take a couple days and you feel like that for sure and you do your bike rides and your workouts and if you don't have any headaches or dizziness through that then you're good to go."

Reddick's advice for a player suffering his first concussion: plenty of rest and defer to the experts.

"There's no sense coming back early, because I tried that with my first one and I just made it worse," he said. "Be honest with yourself and the trainers because they're only trying to help you and make you better."  (Sportsnet ass-pat to Wazz for finding and Tweeting it)

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Drinnan reported the other day that former American Jason Reese is headed to Europe:

F Jason Reese (Vancouver, Moose Jaw, Tri-City, 2003-09) signed a tryout contract with Dortmund (Germany Oberliga). He had seven goals and 18 assists in 57 games split between the Texas Brahmas, Arizona Sundogs and Wichita Thunder (all Central Hockey League) season.  (Taking Note)

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A nice piece on Chilliwack's Ryan Howse:

With the kind of numbers Ryan Howse has been putting up, you could probably cut him some slack if it went to his head a bit.

But spend five minutes with the young man, and it becomes obvious that’s never going to happen.

The Chilliwack Bruins superstar is as grounded as a 19-year-old can possibly be.

He’s got a tattoo on the inside of his forearm that says ‘sacrifice.’

And while that’s a catch-phrase for hockey players, it has a special meaning for the Calgary Flames draft pick.

His mom successfully battled breast cancer right before he moved away when he was 15.

He plans to incorporate the names of his mom, dad and brother (Roxanne, Jason and Dryden) into the design, along with the breast cancer ribbon and the phrase ‘hope and faith.’

“When I look at this every day, it reminds me how tough things can be at times, but if you work through it you can get through anything and accomplish anything,” Howse said.  (Canoe)

Oh and he's a pretty darn good hockey player too.

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Ferran's latest "Meet the Ams" takes a closer look at Jordan Messier:

Favorite hockey moment Messier was going to go with the team's three U.S. Division titles before catching himself. "Winning the Western Conference last year, that was pretty exciting. It's tough trying to think of just one memory. It's just been fun to be part of all these teams. I'm pretty proud of that." (Examiner)

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The Boy did a great bit including interview about some awesome goalie pads:

As a Marylander (even though living in Calgary), the flag is a great sense of pride and for the goalie for the Terrapins putting them on his pads?? Just beyond awesome.  (The Strangest One of All)

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This week's WHL Radio features (among others) former American Johnny Lazo, you can listen here.

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That's all I got for now, if more comes along I'll add it in.