<SMALL>UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (TICKER) </SMALL>-- Even Chris Simon was horrified by his senseless attack on
New York Rangers center
Ryan Hollweg.
After watching a replay of his vicious act against the Rangers two days ago, Simon on Saturday issued an apology in a statement released by the Islanders.
"I was disgusted," the rugged left wing said. "There is absolutely no place in hockey for what I did.
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</NOSCRIPT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"I want to apologize to Ryan Hollweg. I was grateful to learn that Ryan is OK and that he returned to the game. My hope is to reach out to him in the near future."
In the third period of Thursday's home game against the rival Rangers, the 6-3, 232-pound Simon was checked hard into the boards by the 5-11, 210-pound Hollweg. He retaliated by chopping Hollweg in the face with his stick.
Hollweg crumpled to the ice and remained there for a brief period as his teammates confronted Simon, with minor scuffles breaking out. Simon received a match penalty for a deliberate attempt to injure, and the Rangers scored the eventual winning goal on the ensuing power play.
"I want to apologize to my team and Islanders fans everywhere," Simon said. "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 I am. I know my teammates and opponents over my 14 years in the NHL understand that."
Simon offered an excuse for his actions, claiming he was knocked for a loop on the check by Hollweg.
"I saw the look on my face after being hit into the boards," Simon said. "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."
On Friday, Simon was suspended indefinitely by the NHL, and attended a disciplinary hearing with league senior executive vice president Colin Campbell on Saturday morning. A decision on the length of the suspension has yet to be made, contrary to a report of 15 regular-season games and seven playoff contests that surfaced earlier in the day.
The suspension will not be the first for Simon, who has been banned five other times in his career for a total of 10 games, including a three-game suspension for racial remarks. But the enforcer insists his apology is not an attempt to minimize the penalty he will be receiving.
"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," Simon said. "I understand disciplinary action will be taken. Since Ryan is thankfully OK, what hurts the most is knowing my actions will result in me losing the privilege of being in the Islanders lineup."
A checking forward, Simon has 10 goals, 17 assists and 75 penalty minutes, which ranks third on the Islanders behind
Brendan Witt (115) and
Sean Hill (88).
In 744 games over 14 seasons with Quebec-Colorado, Washington, Chicago, the Rangers, Calgary and the Islanders, Simon has 143 goals, 159 assists and 1,765 penalty minutes. Simon had 250 penalty minutes with Colorado in 1995-96 and with New York and Calgary in 2003-04. Last season, he had 94, avoiding triple digits for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign
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