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Monday, 19 September 2011 12:01

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The Penguins had a pretty eventful offseason with the flirtations with Jaromir Jagr, the defection of Maxime Talbot to the rival Flyers and the ongoing saga involving Sidney Crosby's health.

The re-signing of Arron Asham was very much under the radar for most Penguins fans.

Asham recently talked about his decision to return to the Penguins, his role as a fighter and how he dealth with a concussion last season.

On re-signing with the Penguins:

"I’m very happy. I told Ray (Shero) last year that I loved it here in Pittsburgh and I wanted to be a part of it here this year. I know it’s a business and they had some things to do. Things worked out and I’m excited to get the season going."

How much do you think your effort in the playoffs (four points in seven games) played a role in the Penguins re-signing you?

"I think it was pretty much the main reason. I was hurt most of the year and I didn’t really start feeling comfortable until the end of the year. Elevated my game in the playoffs and I think I earned myself a contract. Hope to have a good year and try to stick around a few more years."

Did the offseason deaths of Wade Belak, Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien weigh on you since fighting is a part of your game as well?

"It’s definitely a tough job. My role isn’t strictly fighting but some of those guys it was. It weighs on your shoulders quite a bit when you go into a game thinking you have to fight every night. I’m not sure what their personal problems were but it’s a tough job. It’s unfortunate. We just have to work with the (NHLPA) to try to get something going for the players who are having some difficulties and we’ve got to try and figure this out."

Is it irresponsible to connect their deaths due to their role as fighters?

"I’m not sure. It’s tough to call. It’s a tough job like I said before but guys get paid good money to do it. I’m not sure if they had a history of it in the family or not. It does weigh on your shoulders I’ve never felt depressed about it myself. It’s tough. It’s definitely terrible."

Can you compare your concussion to Sidney Crosby's?

"It’s tough. I went through my first one last year. It’s a lot of headaches. A lot of disorientation. Mine was a mild one. Sid was pretty bad. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. But he’s back around. He’s smiling. He’s looking good out there."

What symptoms did you experience?

"It was more going into grocery stores and being around a lot of people. That’s what would trigger my symptoms. That’s when I would get bad headaches and be nauseated."

Are their confidence issues to overcome with this type of injury?

"For myself, I fought my second game back. I felt like I always did. I felt normal. I knew right then it was behind me and I just went back to my game."

When did you realize you had a concussion?

"After the hit, I felt good. Felt fine. In the dressing room, I didn’t think I had a concussion. I did some tests and I was concussed."

What kind of tests did you fail?

"Pretty much all of them. I don’t know if that was the concussion or my wits."

(Photos: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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