Concussed George Parros out indefinitely for Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens enforcer George Parros was released from hospital Wednesday morning after being treated for a head injury suffered in a season-opening loss to Toronto the previous night.

Parros was knocked unconscious early in the third period after his face slammed into the ice during a fight with Maple Leafs tough guy Colton Orr. Parros spent several minutes motionless on the ice before he was taken off on a stretcher.

"Medical update on George Parros: he was released from the hospital, suffered a concussion, will be out indefinitely," the Canadiens said Wednesday on their Twitter feed.

Parros fell hard on his chin while attempting to punch Orr, who was tugging at his jersey. It was their second fight of a physical game, which the Maple Leafs won 4-3.

It was the first game in a Montreal uniform for Parros, who joined the Canadiens last summer after one season with the Florida Panthers.

The incident reignited the debate about whether fighting should be a part of the game. Many players say yes.

Jets centre Bryan Little said he has "no idea what [hockey] would look like without it."

Fighting should always be in hockey ... because you'll get guys running around that play a lot tougher than they normally would. It keeps everyone honest.- Jets defenceman Zach Bogosian

"As far as I can remember it's been a good way for the players to kind of police the game themselves," he said at practice in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Fighting should stay: Bogosian

Defenceman Zach Bogosian said much the same thing.

"If they take fighting out of the game it will be a whole different dynamic and it won't be the same," he said. "Fighting should always be in hockey, not matter what, because you'll get guys running around that play a lot tougher than they normally would. It's good, it keeps everyone honest."

Winnipeg tough guy Chris Thorburn called the Parros incident a "freak accident."

"Hopefully the results of fights going into the future aren't like that," he said.

Parros was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round (No. 222 overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

He made his debut with the Kings in 2005-06 and later played for the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks.

The 33-year-old native of Washington, Pa., had a goal and assist and 57 penalty minutes in 39 games with Florida last season. He has 35 points (18-17) and 1,027 penalty minutes in 453 NHL regular-season games.