Player Regains Consciousness

Vu Dang, an Escondido High football player injured in a game Friday, has regained consciousness and is beginning to breathe on his own again, the Palomar Medical Center announced Monday.

Dang’s condition is still listed as critical but stable, but he was apparently doing much better Monday and nurses were gradually taking him off a respirator.

Dang, 17, suffered a severe head injury Friday when he was hit on a punt return in Escondido’s 14-0 victory over San Marcos.

Test results, available Monday, confirmed what Dr. Imad Shahhal suspected Sunday.

“During surgery, we located evidence that Vu may have had a slight brain hemorrhage from a tackle in a football game one to two weeks ago,” said Shahhal, the neurosurgeon who operated on Dang Friday night to relieve pressure caused by a subdural hematoma. “The first injury, although it did produce some bleeding, did not cause any symptoms so it went unnoticed. The tackle in Friday’s game caused bleeding again, more severe this time, and Vu lapsed into a coma.”

HOCKEY

The Gulls continued their run on veteran defenseman by bringing in Gord Dineen on loan from the Ottawa Senators. Last season, Dineen was a first-team IHL all-star, assisting on 37 goals for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Dineen becomes the 16th player with NHL experience to join the Gulls. He has played at least parts of 11 seasons in the NHL.

Meanwhile, the Gulls trimmed their roster to 23 by releasing Kord Cernich, a 25-year-old defenseman who played with the Gulls last season, and Darren Perkins, a 23-year-old defenseman.

Originally, the Gulls planned to have their roster down to 20 by Friday’s opener against Salt Lake (7 p.m. at the Sports Arena), but now may be unable to meet that goal.

“It doesn’t look like we’re going to get there,” said Don Waddell, general manager. “There’s just too many tough decisions.”

Waddell and Coach Rick Dudley are making them even more difficult by continuing to look for more talent.