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Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo reveals mystery illness

By The Sports Xchange
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) during third period action in the 2-1 overtime shoot-out Pittsburgh Penguins win against the New York Islanders at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on March 15, 2016. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) during third period action in the 2-1 overtime shoot-out Pittsburgh Penguins win against the New York Islanders at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on March 15, 2016. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo wrote a thank you letter to his fans on the team's website Monday, disclosing that he battled illness stemming from medication last season and possibly a concussion.

"I've worked with a lot of different people -- concussion experts and people who have dealt with concussions themselves -- and I feel confident in the fact that I can play hockey again," Okposo wrote. "In fact, I know I can play again.

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"I know I can play and not worry about hitting my head, which is a major hurdle for someone who's dealt with this. If I didn't feel 100 percent right now, that probably wouldn't be the case."

Okposo has been sidelined since March 28 following a return to the lineup for just two games after missing the previous 10 with a rib injury.

The 29-year-old wrote that the medication he took to sleep caused a "negative reaction," leading to rapid weight loss. He was administered to Neuro Surgical ICU at Buffalo General Medical Center, the medical ward that deals with neurological injuries such as strokes, concussions, trauma and tumors.

"At one point, I weighed less than 200 pounds," Okposo wrote. "I haven't weighed that little since I was 17. Now, the initial thought was a possible concussion."

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Okposo missed the remainder of the season with what the team called an undisclosed illness. He finished with 19 goals and 26 assists in 65 games last season, which marked the first in his seven-year, $42 million contract with the Sabres.

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