Concussion

St. Louis Blues left wing Geoff Courtnall, unable to shake the effects of post-concussion syndrome after a monthlong layoff, retired yesterday. Surrounded by family and teammates at a somber news conference, Courtnall, 37, broke down and cried. "I'd like to thank all the guys for showing up, and I hope you guys win the Stanley Cup this year," Courtnall said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'll miss you guys. " Several teammates also wept during the news conference.

Atlanta Thrashers center Patrik Stefan was hospitalized after suffering a concussion in last night's 6-0 loss to the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Stefan, whose status entering the 1999 draft was questionable because of a pair of serious concussions, was injured early in the first period. He was carrying the puck out of his own zone when he was undercut by Montreal's P.J. Stock. Stefan tried to avoid a collision, but fell over Stock and struck his head on the ice. Stefan was motionless on the ice for several minutes before his head and neck were immobilized and he was taken off on a stretcher.

Still shaken by his fourth-quarter concussion, Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent said he had no memory of the play on which he collided with safety Michael Zordich and was knocked unconscious. "I don't even remember how I got back to the locker room," Vincent said after the game. "All I remember is the doctor tapping me, and I looked up and saw a light in the training room. " Vincent was deep in Eagles' territory yesterday when Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch fired a pass intended for Johnnie Morton.

A Philadelphia high school student was treated for a concussion Wednesday after he was caught up in a fight at University City High School, authorities said. About 10 students were involved in the brawl which broke out about 11:15 a.m. between class periods, said school district spokesman Fernando Gallard. A sophomore reported feeling dizzy after the altercation and administrators sent him to the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania to have him checked. The fight remains under investigation and some students may be suspended or transferred to an alternative school depending on their involvement, Gallard said.

ALLENTOWN - Tommy Joseph's difficult start at triple-A Lehigh Valley now includes a concussion. The Phillies' top catching prospect suffered the injury May 4 against Indianapolis and he has not played since. Joseph, 21, is hitting .209 with one double, three home runs, and 14 RBIs. He also has been charged with nine passed balls. "He was probably the one guy who had more on his plate than anyone," director of player development Joe Jordan said. "That's just because of the position.

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was admitted to a New York hospital Sunday after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she suffered earlier this month. Clinton's doctors discovered the clot Sunday while performing a follow-up exam, her spokesman, Philippe Reines, said. He would not elaborate on the location of the clot, but said that Clinton is being treated with anticoagulants and would remain at New York-Presbyterian Hospital for at least the next 48 hours so doctors can monitor the medication.

Flyers captain Eric Desjardins said yesterday that he has a mild concussion and has been trying to play through the injury without success, much like Mark Recchi and Keith Primeau did earlier in the season. Desjardins' concussion occurred March 8 against Calgary. "A small one," he said. "They said it would be better to take the day off. I've been off the last two days and it got better. We're hoping that it will get even better [today] and maybe [tomorrow] I will be fine. " Desjardins, who wants to play tomorrow against Minnesota, said he has been trying to play through some nausea and headaches.

Only 33, Brian Westbrook already suffers from short-term memory loss. He can't remember names, recall facts, or retain new material moments after he's told them. Westbrook can trace his health problems to at least a pair of concussions suffered during a shortened nine-year career. That is why the former Eagle advised current Birds running back LeSean McCoy to take his time returning from a concussion last season. McCoy missed four games but refused to sit out the final two games for further rest because he called himself a "competitor.

All too well, Flyers fans remember the concussion problems that felled Eric Lindros. They are still smarting from the aftershocks of losing Keith Primeau before the season. But they should not make any comparisons to the team's current captain, who also is out with a concussion. These are different times. "The rules have changed," Flyers coach John Stevens said yesterday. "Holding a player [with a concussion] out for at least a full week like we used to - all that's changed.

Simon Gagne leaned on a painted concrete wall next to the Flyers' locker room, tugged at his baseball cap, and faced a horde of reporters at the Skate Zone in Voorhees yesterday. Concussion-gate was in session. Gagne, who missed most of last season with a concussion, had left Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey in the second period because of what he called flu-related dehydration and fatigue. But since the star left winger had also suffered from dehydration a few days after being diagnosed with a concussion last year, red flags were raised.