ST. LOUISWhen David Perron finally returned from a 13-month, 97-game absence earlier this month, Joe Thornton texted the Blues winger to wish him luck. It was a classy move by the Sharks captain, whose hit on Perron caused a severe concussion to the 23-year-old on November 4, 2010. Thornton was suspended for two games.
REWIND: Class act -- Thornton texts Perron
Tonight at the Scottrade Center, Perron and Thornton will share the ice for the first time since that incident when the Blues host the Sharks.
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Perron told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that while it may be a bit awkward at first, its just going to be another game.
"I mean, I would say it's going to be weird a little bit at first. But after the first few shifts it's just going to be another game and it's just unfortunate the way the accident happened last year."
Perron also seems to excuse Thornton for the hit, which occurred when Thornton exited the penalty box and caught Perron streaking up the ice with his head turned in the opposite direction, looking for a pass.
"I think I met (Thornton) before at the All-Star Game in Atlanta (2008) and he's a good guy. It's probably not the smartest play he ever made in his career, but I just hope I can move on from that.
San Jose Sharks
"I forgave him pretty much right away. I think he was frustrated coming out of the box from that penalty. He probably wanted to get his game going and get physical. He saw me, I was there, so. ... To say it's disappointing he didn't contact me after would be tough to say. I moved on pretty quickly after that."
Perron has played in three games since his return, with one goal and one assist. A former first round pick of the Blues in 2007, he has 54 goals and 79 assists in 238 career NHL games over five seasons.
The Sharks begin a three-game road trip in St. Louis Saturday that also takes them to Chicago on Sunday and Colorado Tuesday