McQuaid unveils concussion kept him out of playoffs

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BOSTON -- Adam McQuaid is used to playing through injuries.

Being banged up is one thing. Having a concussion is another.

That's what ended Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid's season. He revealed that during Friday's break-up day at the TD Garden.

McQuaid took a vicious hit behind his own net from Jason Chimera on March 29. He missed three games, and then returned in a limited role on April 5 in Ottawa, the second-to-last game of the regular season.

That would be the last time McQuaid saw the ice.

"Originally, I wasn't feeling too bad," said McQuaid on Friday. "And then some concussion symptoms came up. I'm feeling much better than I was, much better. So, I'll take care of myself this summer. And I think there will be absolutely no issues in a short period of time."

McQuaid said he felt "helpless" watching his Bruins lose their first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals. He also said that if the B's season extended past the first round, it was looking as if he could have returned.

"The progression that we were making, all signs were pointing to getting back, at least getting back to testing myself out," he said.

McQuaid is expected to make a full recovery in the very near future. But he's learned not to mess with concussions, even if he's used to playing through injuries, saying that, "the hardest part is to be honest with yourself."

"I just wasn't feeling as well as I thought I would," said McQuaid. "It was tough to tell the trainers, but I felt like I had to, and we just looked further into it. It's something that you can't necessarily play through. It's not smart to. And hopefully I can play for many more years. I don't want to jeopardize that."

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