Nathan Horton not worried about concussions

WILMINGTON — After skating with his teammates for the first time since suffering a concussion last January, Bruins forward Nathan Horton he is 100-percent healthy and ready to go about business as usual throughout the upcoming training camp and 48-game season.

Horton suffered his second concussion in as many seasons on a Jan. 22 hit from Flyers forward Tom Sestito. He began skating by himself but had a setback and was eventually shut down before the playoffs. He said after Thursday’s informal practice with teammates that things have gone smoothly since.

“Near the end of the [season] I was starting to feel better, but all summer I never had any issues with all my running and skating,” Horton said. “I never had a setback, and I feel great. I’m pretty happy about that. It’s a tough thing to go through, but it’s in the past now and I’m looking forward to getting back and being around the guys yet and having some fun.”

A free agent at season’s end, Horton also suffered a concussion in Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals on a hit from Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome. Despite now having a history of head injuries, Horton said he isn’t planning on changing his approach at all.

“The truth is I really haven’t even thought about it,” he said. “I’m not even worried about my head, I’m not worried about being in contact or getting in a fight or anything like that. It’s really in the back of my [mind]. I’m looking to the future and I haven’t thought about it. I feel better than I have in a long, long time and that’s it. I’m just happy that I feel good and it’s not even on my mind.”

For more on the Bruins, visit weei.com/bruins.