By IRA PODELL
AP Hockey Writer
UNIONDALE, N.Y.(AP) -- Islanders captain Doug Weight, the fourth
NHL player known to have swine flu, returned to New York's
lineup on Wednesday night after a bout with the illness forced
him to miss three games.
The 38-year-old center confirmed Wednesday that he was bedridden
with the virus after being diagnosed eight days earlier. At
least three other players are currently dealing with the H1N1
strain of the virus.
"I was never worried about it," Weight said. "I think we're a
little up in arms about it as a nation.
"Obviously, it is important that we get a grip on it, but I
think it's the flu. It knocked me on my butt. I stayed away from
guys so I made sure I was not infecting anybody else, and here
we are."
The Washington Capitals announced Wednesday that forward Quintin
Laing has the swine flu, and on Tuesday it was revealed that
Edmonton defenseman Ladislav Smid and Colorado goalie Peter
Budaj also have the strain of the virus, their teams said.
"The league has provided clubs with all the relevant
information, and with recommendations for proactive prevention
and management steps," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in
an e-mail. "Clubs have been advised to provide the league with
frequent updates to allow us to continue to monitor the
situation on a league-wide basis.
"None of the information that has become public recently has
warranted or caused a different approach to the situation than
we have taken to date."
Weight was cleared to resume workouts on Sunday and got the
go-ahead to return to hockey action on Wednesday morning.
"I wasn't scared at all. It was the flu as far as I'm
concerned," he said before the Islanders played the New York
Rangers. "The only difference for myself, first and foremost,
was I have three kids and a wife that I live with.
"I was fine, but you want to make sure you don't bring it to
their schools, to this building, to my teammates and my house."
Weight was deemed to be no longer contagious after five days. He
supports the idea of putting hand sanitizers in front of
dressing rooms - which the Capitals have done - as well as in
work places, schools and homes everywhere.
"As of now, the blood is off my hands," Weight said. "They said
it's five days and it has been eight. So if anybody gets sick
now, it's not me. I took care of myself. My kids are good and my
wife is good, so it's all good.
"I stayed in bed and shut my door. ... That was it. You cough in
your arm and you wash your hands and you have the soap all
around for the kids to wash their hands all day."
In his first season as Islanders captain, Weight has missed five
of New York's 10 games. A groin injury sidelined him for two
games. He has no goals and two assists during his limited play
with the Islanders, who started the day with a mark of 1-4-5.
"I felt really good coming into camp, and that groin really
bugged me," Weight said. "That is better now. I will take some
short shifts today, and we have seven (games) in 11 nights so
there is no time to feel sorry for myself. I am excited to get
back and I'm excited to contribute to some wins.
"I need to step up here and do some leading on the ice. I feel
like I can. I feel good on the ice right now, so I've got to
make sure I'm pulling my weight."
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