PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will miss the NHL team's training camp and his status for the 2011-12 season is unclear due to the lingering effects of concussions he suffered last season.
The news was revealed at a news conference Wednesday - the first time Crosby has spoken publicly about his health since late April.
Concussion specialists who are treating Crosby said they don't believe he'll suffer any long-term effects from the injuries, but they are taking a cautious approach in terms of a return to play.
“When he's ready, we'll know,” Dr. Michael Collins told reporters. “But we're not there yet.”
Crosby's status has been one of the NHL's hot-button issues. The chatter increased in late August, when the Penguins released a brief statement saying Crosby had visited concussion specialists in the U.S. and that there was no specific timetable for Crosby's return to action.
The Penguins open training camp on Sept. 17. The NHL season begins Oct. 6.
Crosby - widely considered the best player in the world and the face of the NHL - suffered two concussions in short order last season and didn't play after Jan. 5. He suffered the first concussion on Jan. 1 in the Winter Classic game against the Washington Capitals, when he was blindsided by the Capitals' David Steckel. Four days later, he was concussed again when he was hit into the end boards by Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman.
Crosby said he never contemplated retirement and shot down suggestions that the concussions might end his career.
“A slight one,” Crosby said when asked about the chances of him never playing in the NHL again, “but I wouldn't bet on that.”
The 24-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup title in the 2009-10 season and helped the Canadian men's hockey team win the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Crosby's announcement came shortly after he skated at Consol Energy Center.
The news another bad-news story to the NHL's off season of bad news.
Crosby's announcement follows the deaths of former NHL enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak and whether the role they played and possible head injuries suffered on the ice contributed to their deaths.
