Horton to Miss Rest of Playoffs with Severe Concussion

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that forward Nathan Horton will miss the remainder of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs due to a severe concussion. The injury occurred during the first period of Game 3 of the Bruins/Canucks Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 6 after a hit by Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome. After the play, Rome was assessed a five minute major for interference and a game misconduct.

The 26-year-old Horton is tied for second on the Bruins in playoff scoring with 17 points on eight goals and nine assists. He tallied three game-winning goals this postseason, including the winners in both Game 7’s the Bruins have played this year, against Montreal on April 27 and against Tampa Bay on May 27. Horton finished his first year as a Bruin with 26-27=53 totals during the regular season.

He was acquired by the Bruins along with Gregory Campbell from the Florida Panthers on June 22, 2010 in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman and two draft picks (first round 2010, third round 2011).

Horton will not be made available to the media in the foreseeable future. If this status changes, the Bruins Communications Department will issue an update.