Lindros Suffers Headaches After Injury in Scrimmage

Philadelphia Flyer star Eric Lindros, sitting out the playoffs because of a concussion, needed 20 stitches to close a gash in his upper lip and complained of headaches Thursday after a collision during a scrimmage.

Lindros collided with a Philadelphia Phantom player at the teams’ Voorhees, N.J., practice facility. The Phantoms are the Flyers’ minor league affiliate.

Lindros was taken to a Camden, N.J., hospital, where he received the stitches and pain medication before he was released, Flyer spokesman Zack Hill said.

Lindros wanted to get in a workout before flying to Chicago to see his neurologist, James Kelly, in hopes of getting clearance to play. Because of Lindros’ injury, that trip apparently will be delayed a day or two.

“We’re just following Dr. Kelly’s instructions,” said Flyer General Manager Bob Clarke, who declined to discuss the incident in detail.

Flyer chairman Ed Snider said Lindros was not cleared for contact drills, but Thursday’s session was not supposed to involve contact.

“Obviously, it was a freak accident,” Snider said. “This was not a contact scrimmage or anything of that nature.

“His intentions were obviously good. His desire was to get back with the team.”

Despite Lindros’ recent criticism of the Flyers’ medical staff--comments that led Clarke to strip him of his captaincy--Snider insisted the Flyers would welcome Lindros’ return when he is cleared to play.

“Of course we would,” he said. “Obviously, Eric is out there skating, trying to get himself in shape.”

Lindros has been hopeful of playing in the Eastern Conference finals or the Stanley Cup finals if the Flyers advance that far.

Team doctor Gary Dorshimer said Lindros reported no dizziness--often, an indicator of a concussion. Lindros apparently is having bi-frontal headaches, or headaches in the front of his head, and will be checked regularly.

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Goalie Greg Gardner, who led Niagara University to the NCAA tournament last season with a nation-leading 1.53 goals-against average, became the first signee of the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets, signing a one-year deal worth a reported $483,000. . . . The expansion Minnesota Wild signed its first player, free-agent forward Steve Aronson, 21, from the University of St. Thomas. Terms were not disclosed. The forward was named NCAA Division III player of the year by the American Hockey Coaches Assn. and U.S. College Hockey Online last season.