Leafs place Liles on IR with concussion-like symptoms
Posted December 27, 2011 1:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman John-Michael Liles has been placed on the injured reserve list due to concussion-like symptoms and will be out indefinitely, according to head coach Ron Wilson.
Liles was injured during the second period of Toronto’s 3-2 win over the Sabres Dec. 22 after getting leveled with a clean open-ice hit by Buffalo’s Paul Gaustad. Liles went to the dressing room — where he presumably underwent concussion testing per NHL policy — but returned to finish the game.
The 31-year-old blueliner sat out the next game against the New York Islanders and missed practice Monday with what was described as a sore neck. It was initially announced that Liles was held out due to precautionary measures and his return was day-to-day.
Liles is tied for the team lead in goals (4) and points (21) among defenceman and trails only Dion Phaneuf in average ice time (21:32).
It’s the second time this season the Leafs have lost a key player to concussion-like symptoms after No. 1 goalie James Reimer missed more than a month of action after getting hit on the head by Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta on Oct. 22.
