WASHINGTON -- Ten former National Hockey League players, including all-star forward Gary Leeman, claimed in a class-action lawsuit that the league hasnt done enough to protect players from concussions. The lawsuit seeks damages and court-approved, NHL-sponsored medical monitoring for the players brain trauma and/or injuries, which they blame on their NHL careers. It was filed in federal court in Washington on behalf of players who retired on or before February 14 of this year and have suffered such injuries. The suit comes just three months after the National Football League agreed to pay US$765 million to settle lawsuits from thousands of former players who developed dementia or other concussion-related health problems -- and in an era when more attention is being paid to the damages of head injuries sustained in sports. Among other things, the suit claims that: -- The NHL knew or should have known about scientific evidence that players who sustain repeated head injuries are at greater risk for illnesses and disabilities both during their hockey careers and later in life. -- Even after the NHL created a concussion program to study brain injuries affecting NHL players in 1997, the league took no action to reduce the number and severity of concussions during a study period from 1997 to 2004. "Plaintiffs relied on the NHLs silence to their detriment," the suit says. -- The league didnt do anything to protect players from unnecessary harm until 2010, when it made it a penalty to target a players head. "The NHLs active and purposeful concealment of the severe risks of brain injuries exposed players to unnecessary dangers they could have avoided had the NHL provided them with truthful and accurate information and taken appropriate action to prevent needless harm," the lawsuit says. Bill Daly, the leagues deputy commissioner, issued a statement Monday. "We are aware of the class-action lawsuit filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of a group of former NHL players. While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the league and the players association have managed player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions," the statement said. "We intend to defend the case vigorously and have no further comment at this time." The NHL didnt respond to APs requests for comment, but earlier this year, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Canadian Press the league had "taken tremendous strides and put a great deal of effort and time and money into dealing with the issue of player safety, in general, and concussions, specifically. "We were the first sports league in 97 to have a joint working group to study concussions with the Players Association and our trainers and our physicians. We were the first sports league to do baseline testing, we were the first sports league to have protocols for diagnosis and return-to-play decisions. "This is something that we have always treated as important and will continue to treat as important," he added. The suit argues that the league continues to contribute to injuries today, by refusing to ban fighting and body-checking, and by employing "enforcers" whose main job is to fight or violently body-check opponents. And the lawsuit accuses the league of promoting a "culture of violence," in which players are praised for their fighting and "head-hunting" skills. Leeman, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadians, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues from 1983-1996, suffered multiple concussions and sub-concussive impacts during his career, according to the lawsuit. Since his retirement, hes suffered from post-traumatic head syndrome, headaches, memory loss and dizziness, the lawsuit says. In addition to Leeman, the other ex-players on the lawsuit are: Bradley Aitken (Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers); Darren Banks (Boston Bruins); Curt Bennett (Blues, New York Rangers and Atlanta Flames); Richard Dunn (Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames); Warren Holmes, (Los Angeles Kings); Robert Manno, (Canucks, Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings); Blair James Stewart (Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques); Morris Titanic, (Sabres); and Rick Vaive (Canucks, Maple Leafs, Sabres, and Chicago Blackhawks). In a statement, Vaive said players "were kept in the dark about the risks of concussions and many of the former NHL players are now suffering from debilitating head injuries from their time in the league. Hopefully this lawsuit will shine a light on the problem and the players will get the help they deserve." JMarcus Webb Jersey Black Friday . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. David Amerson Jersey Black Friday .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.t... . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. 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"Weve just got to hope now that Kansas blows somebody out so they move them ahead of us," the Michigan State coach said. "We proved tonight were not ready to handle any kind of success, and that disappoints me." The angst was back in Izzos voice Friday night, even though No. 2 Michigan State did pull away from upset-minded Columbia in the final two minutes for a 62-53 victory. The Spartans trailed for a majority of the second half, but Adreian Payne was too much for the Lions inside, finishing with 26 points. Michigan State (3-0) beat top-ranked Kentucky earlier in the week, and No. 5 Kansas beat No. 4 Duke. Unbeaten Louisville is No. 3. Maodo Lo had 12 points for Columbia (1-2), which kept its poise for the most part but went scoreless for the final 4:27. "All credit to Columbia. They came out and played their heart out," Michigan States Denzel Valentine said. "We need to come out with more energy and passion than we did today." Michigan State scored the games first nine points, but the Spartans trailed 26-22 at halftime and didnt lead again until Gary Harris three-point play put Michigan State ahead 49-46 with 7:28 to go. Columbias Meiko Lyles made a 3-pointer with 6:08 to go to tie it at 51, and the Lions trailed 54-53 after a layup by Alex Rosenberg, but they didnt score again. Down 55-53, Columbia committed back-to-back shot clock violations. The Lions may have been thrown off by the Michigan State crowd, which was counting the clock down falsely -- a couple seconds too late. "When that happened, I almost got up and thanked them," Izzo said. "I didnt want to embarrass anybody." Still, Columbia had a chance to tie it with 1:47 to go, but Isaac Cohen missed the front end of a one-and-one. At the other end, Keith Appling drove into the teeth of the Columbia defence and lobbed an alley-oop to Payne that made it 57-53.dddddddddddd Michigan State hasnt been No. 1 in the AP poll since 2001, the year after the Spartans won the national championship. "Ill just save you guys the embarrassment of writing stupid things," Izzo said. "We havent proven enough to be considered a great team. Were a doggone good team with a long, long way to go." The Spartans were obviously in danger of a letdown after beating Kentucky, but they appeared to avoid that when they opened the game on a 9-0 run. But perhaps the game was a little too easy for Michigan State at the start. The Spartans ended up shooting 35 per cent in the first half, and Columbia got comfortable quickly. Rosenbergs layup capped a 9-0 run for the Lions that put them ahead 14-11, and Michigan State had a hard time shaking them after that. "It all falls on our energy level," Appling said. "They took advantage of that. They were in position to win." Payne had 11 rebounds and shot 9 of 15 from the field. The Spartans attempted 30 free throws to Columbias 11, but although they had some success inside in the second half, they finished 0 of 7 from 3-point range. Michigan State also had only five offensive rebounds. "Ill take most of the blame because Im the one thats supposed to have them ready to play," Izzo said. "Rebounding here is a religion, and maybe this team wants to change that, so Ive got to make sure that doesnt happen." Harris scored 11 points and Valentine had 10. Cohen and Rosenberg had 10 points each for the Lions. "You play to win. We try to compete and win," Columbia coach Kyle Smith said. "But the moral victory is that we were competitive, and I expected that. Our guys bring a good effort." wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap soccer jerseys cheap nhl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '