January 15, 2010
Notre Dame's Ringel Continues to Battle Concussion Issues; Ruth Out
CHN Staff Report
Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson sounded a pessimistic tone about sophomore defenseman Eric Ringel, who has missed the last seven games with the effects of a concussion.
“Eric Ringel may never play hockey again,” Jackson told Irish Illustrated. “He’s into week six or seven now of post-concussion syndrome. We’re not going to put any player at risk with that kind of a head injury.”
Ringel, who played in six games last season, has one assist in 17 games this year.
In addition to the frustration of dealing with numerous other injury woes, Jackson's ire has been raised further by the loss of junior defenseman Teddy Ruth, who will miss both games this weekend against Michigan State.
Ruth was hit from behind by Ferris State's Travis Ouellette. Ruth retaliated to the hit and both were ejected with game disqualification penalties, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension. Ouellette was given an extra game suspension by the CCHA, and will miss both games this weekend against Miami.
But Ruth may miss both games as well, day-to-day with an "upper body injury."
“I think it was even more severe than that personally,” Jackson told II. “I saw it live and that was enough but watching it on film, there was intent there in my estimation. There was a punch to the head before he hit (Ruth) from behind. I thought he accelerated, and to me that’s intent. And we gotta deal with him being injured right now.”
Also out is Billy Maday, the team's leading scorer with 19 points, after he suffered a separated shoulder and concussion last week. He is expected out 6-8 weeks.
The Irish also continue to be without freshman defenseman Sam Calabrese, who has an ankle injury. He has played in three games this season.
