Pens' Tangradi Discusses Concussion & Prospect Camp
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Eric Tangradi stopped by the KDKA-TV studios Wednesday night to talk about prospect camp and how his recovery from a concussion last season is going.
Tangradi was acquired along with Chris Kunitz from the Anaheim Ducks prior to the trade deadline in 2009.
He appeared in 15 games with the Penguins during the 2010-11 season and recorded one goal and two assists. He also appeared in one playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
KDKA-TV's Jory Rand asked what the team's reaction would be if a player came out and made comments similar to the ones Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker James Harrison made during a recent interview with Men's Journal.
Eric Tangradi: Things would definitely be a little hostile. Things are said in the offseason and I don't think an incident like that would happen around our room. But, I can't really comment on anything else about it.
Jory Rand: This is your fifth development camp with two teams (two in Anaheim, three in Pittsburgh) do you kind of feel like the adult sitting at the kids table out there?
Tangradi: I do. I'm 22-years-old and It's kind of the first time in my career I'll be looked at as the veteran. Coming in in September I'll be the young guy again and all I can really do is show the leadership and show what the Pittsburgh organization stands for.
Rand: What are you looking for this year? Looking to get into a top six forward role with the team this year?
Tangradi: Yeah, that's the goal. I mean, I'm going to go into camp with the attitude and the mindset to try to make a difference. I think the part of my game that I definitely need to add is to score. Any time you score or produce at the professional level, that will definitely guarantee you sticking around.
He was then asked about how he was feeling after suffering a concussion during a game against the New York Islanders this season.
Tangradi: I feel 100 percent. I feel better than ever. I've been doing a lot of hard work in the gym and I feel it's paid off so far. There's still a few more months left until training camp, but I haven't had a single symptom since the incident and this summer's been great.
Rand: Those symptoms were what, sensitivity to light? You said you were just tired out from watching television, right? How bad did it get?
Tangradi: It was definitely different. I really felt like I wasn't myself. Just a little depressed and you know, the emotions of the whole event kind of kicked in and I think the concussion had a lot to do with that. But, I'm just blessed today to be 100 percent and able to do what I love for a living.
Rand: I'm sure you're asked about the concussion a lot. I'm sure youre asked about Sidney Crosby's concussion even more. Let me just add one more onto those. Have you talked to Sid? Have you heard about how he's progressing on his way back from a similar injury?
Tangradi: I haven't heard from Sid. I know he likes to go up north and keep things quiet for him back at home. I'm sure, if he's able to, he's doing the best in his power to get back at 100 percent.
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