Habs77 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Basically the story explains the reason Kostitsyn wasn't there for the last few days of camp was because his epilepsy reared it's ugly head again. He had a few "attacks" the last few weeks, he has been treated and given new medication... and all is fine now. The Habs brass say all is fine and this in no way affects his career... or anything like that. I'd still call it a tad worrisome... it's not the first time it's happened to him since we drafted him. Anyhow, they end by saying Kostitsyn wants to play in NA next year... but he has to be signed byt the Habs first, then determine where he'd play. ------------------------------------------- http://www.rds.ca/cgi-bin/nouvelles?site=r...n&sport=#105619 L'espoir du Canadien Andrei Kostitsyn a été gardé à Montréal après le camp de développement de l'équipe pour régler un problème d'épilepsie. C'est ce qu'indique le quotidien La Presse en précisant que le Biélorusse de 19 ans a été victime de crises d'épilepsie répétées au cours des dernières semaines. Les médecins du Tricolore assurent que la carrière du jeune hockeyeur n'est pas menacée, assurant qu'ils ont réglé le problème. Des médicaments adéquats lui ont été administrés et les symptômes ont disparu. L'attaquant sera gardé à Montréal jusqu'à ce que tout soit réglé. Kostsitsyn rêve de jouer en Amérique du Nord dès cette année, ne souhaitant donc pas retourner en Russie la saison prochaine. Il doit cependant signer un contrat avant de se présenter au camp du Canadien en septembre. La décision de lui offrir un tel contrat appartient maintenant au directeur général Bob Gainey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs77 Posted July 27, 2004 Author Share Posted July 27, 2004 According to the team, they are nothing serious. Mathias Brunet La Presse July 27th 2004 The Habs' fine prospect Andrei Kostitsyn was the victim of repeated epilepsy crisis during his stay in Montreal the past few weeks. However, the team doctors give us the assurance that his career is in no way threatened and they even believe they have solved the problem. Kostitsyn was submitted to sophisticated medical tests at the Montreal Neurological Institute near the end of the Development Camp and the nature of his epilepsy was finally diagnosed: nocturnal syndrome of the frontal lobe, a very common form of epilepsy. "We are happy to have identified the nature of his sickness said Dr Mulder, the team physician, yesterday. Before, we never had the chance to examine him so extensively. We discovered that he has not been treated properly in the past. We prescribed the proper medication and the symptoms have not reappeared since a week now. At home, in Byelorussia, they were giving him something totally inappropriate. He was taking a medication that can be bought without a prescription in any pharmacy in Russia. It's a little like if someone took aspirins to cure AIDS." Kostitsyn missed the last few days of the Development Camp in order to undergo these medical tests. " These tests were planned in advance and were not the result of the epileptic episodes Kostitsyn suffered during his sleep at his hotel room during the camp said Trevor Timmins, the team's director of recruitment. We wanted him to accept our invitation to the development camp in order to have him undrego these tests." How can we explain the repeated seizures which happened a few weeks ago while Kostitsyn hadn't missed a single hockey game all year due to health reasons? " We think his body could have reacted to the long travel (jet lag) explains Timmins. Especially given that he wasn't taking the proper medication. His seizures were merely 10-second spasms and happened only at night. He never had any problem on the ice or during the day. "It's probably one of the least severe form of epilepsy and it can be treated easily affirmed Dr Mulder." The Quebec governement permits people with this form of disease to drive their car because the attacks last less than 10 seconds. They can lead a normal life. It's no big thing but we were anxious to know the exact nature of his sickness and Kostitsyn himself seems to be relieved." Kostitsyn is still in Montreal even if the Develoment Camp has been over for a week now. "We wanted to do a follow up on the new medication said Dr Mulder. I will meet him today and, next Monday, he will meet Dr Veilleux the specialist who conducted the tests. We will keep him in Montreal until everything is perfectly settled. So far, everything is going well." In the meantime, Kostitsyn is keeping busy. "He's training twice per day and he's also taking English lessons said Timmins." We could very well see Kostitsyn at the Habs' training camp providing the lock out doesn't slow things down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 epilepsy is something serious but can easily be treated by taking your medication, i hope andreai gets healthy and im sure he'll be a training camp, im sure gainey will offer him a contract Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Boy, those Russian doctors sure were giving him the run around. First they said he had epilepsy, so he dropped to 10th in the draft. Then the doctors decided he didn't have epilepsy and that his seizure had been an isolated incident. Now we find out that he does indeed have epilepsy, and that they were giving him crap medication. Hopefully the NA doctors have the problem fixed now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_ Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 If he takes his medication (the right one prescribed by the north american doctors) I don't see why he shouldn't be in a habs uniform or playing in north america Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toren Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 I heard that Derek Morris had epilepsy when he was with the Flames, but was easily able to keep it under control and hasn't ever had a problem with it since. Don't worry, Bob Gainey's gonna get this kid the best medical treatment money can buy. With the right medication, he'll be fine. I mean, if people with this symptom are allowed to drive, they should be able to play hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck7x Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 New article on the Kostitsyn story, an interview with his agent... From russianprospects.com http://www.russianprospects.com/public/art...php?link_id=221 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_ Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 heh, the way they posted the article on tsn they made it sound so serious while in the lapresse article its detailed and explained that all he has to do is takin his medication and he'll be alright and be able to play hockey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonus Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 it should be noted that the Montreal Neurological Institute is one of the best neurological treatment centres in the world. It is where Lindros and Roenick go to get their heads done.... perhaps mentioning lindros doesn't inspire the most confidence, but hey - the guy doesnt drool or anything after 96 concussions, so I'd say the MNI is doing a pretty good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_ Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Simonus is right. But even if there wasn't the doctors near the area, I'm sure the team has the money to offord the best medication available on the market for Andrei. You don't draft player's like Andrei Kostsitsyn's caliber every day, well unless your team is dead last every year, but either way this shouldn't stop him from excelling in his game (see Derek Morris for an example). edit: typo :/ [Edited on 2004/7/29 by Tony] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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