Chris Simon apology note

http://newyorkislanders.com/pressbox/archive.asp?id=1486

"After watching the tape the morning after Thursday's game, I was disgusted. There is absolutely no place in hockey for what I did.

I want to apologize to Ryan Hollweg. I was grateful to learn that Ryan is okay and that he returned to the game. My hope is to reach out to him in the near future.

I want to apologize to my team and Islanders fans everywhere. My actions Thursday night played a major part in our team losing a crucial game. I also want to apologize to the National Hockey League for the damage I have caused this great game of ours.

What you saw Thursday is not the person, player and competitor that I am. I know my teammates and opponents over my 14 years in the NHL understand that.

I do not remember much about Thursday's incident. When I saw the tape on Friday morning, it explained a lot to me when I saw the look on my face after being hit into the boards. I was completely out of it. When I met with the media about 30 minutes later, I still was not feeling well.

I met with our medical staff briefly Thursday night and underwent a series of tests on Friday afternoon. They have told me that I suffered a concussion when I hit the boards. Because I was not cleared by our doctors to travel, I would like to thank Colin Campbell for traveling to New York for today's hearing.

I need to make clear that this is not justification for the danger I put Ryan Hollweg in and the damage I have caused the game. I understand disciplinary action will be taken.

Since Ryan is thankfully okay, what hurts the most is knowing my actions will result in me losing the privilege of being in the Islanders lineup.

Finally, I want to thank my Islanders teammates for their support throughout this process. It means everything to me.


CHRIS SIMON
March 10, 2007"

I know alot of friends on here are really disgusted with what took place. Some have mentioned they would like to see the Islanders organization rid themselves of his presence completely.

I just wanted to say, as angry as Simon was.. he ****ed up and knows well that what took place shouldve never happened. People make mistakes and the world will get over it in time. The guy shouldnt be castrated over this. He was very lucky that Hollweg wasnt seriouslly injured as we all already know. And hopefully in time the fans will look past this incident. He played a big role in where we stand today. That should not be ignored by any of us.

I know alot of friends on here are really disgusted with what took place. Some have mentioned they would like to see the Islanders organization rid themselves of his presence completely.

I just wanted to say, as angry as Simon was.. he ****ed up and knows well that what took place shouldve never happened. People make mistakes and the world will get over it in time. The guy shouldnt be castrated over this. He was very lucky that Hollweg wasnt seriouslly injured as we all already know. And hopefully in time the fans will look past this incident. He played a big role in where we stand today. That should not be ignored by any of us.
I agree. You live, you learn, etc, I feel safe in thinking that he won't do something like this again, especially seeing that while he's been suspended for it hasn't been for anything like this.

That isn't to say that I don't think the letter is mostly just PR and whatnot, but I think that the controversy this has created, in addition to the punishment he'll receive, should be enough to insure he'll make better decisions in the future. And you do have to give him some credit to at least sucp up the pride say he was wrong and is sorry.

Same here. He made a mistake apologized and now everyone should move forward. I for one hope the isles do resign him next year and have him add everything he has this year for this team.

That isn't to say that I don't think the letter is mostly just PR and whatnot, but I think that the controversy this has created, in addition to the punishment he'll receive, should be enough to insure he'll make better decisions in the future. And you do have to give him some credit to at least sucp up the pride say he was wrong and is sorry.

:handclap:

good to see Chief apologize, but it obviously doesn't change what he did. He won't see the ice for the rest of the season unless the Isles go very deep into the playoffs.

We all make mistakes. Sure what he did cost us, Sure what he did cost so much attention But we all need to move on here. He is a great person and a team player, He contributes a lot physically, And he scores goals occasionally. Especially recently. Everyone makes mistakes we aren't perfect. Its time for him to serve his time and move on, I see him in an Islanders uniform in the future people just made it seem a lot bigger then it was.

If he is telling the truth, I think that the high stick was in part Hollweg's fault. Think about it, if he has/had a pretty bad concussion, he obviously wasn't thinking straight. Hollweg gave him the concussion.

Hooray for blaming the victim!:handclap:

Seriously though, if he is telling the truth I feel that the NHL should go lighter on him given the fact that he sustained a head injury seconds before.

I still think that 10 games is sufficient. no injury(except for Simon), the precedent of other suspensions, and the initial hit by hollweg was dirty too. 10 games is more than enough

Happy to read that from the player himself, not fans defending/sticking up for him or what not.