Crosby wants deliberate hits to the head banned

TORONTO - Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has called on the NHL to introduce tougher rules to stop players from deliberate head shots as his own season remains in limbo because of a sickening blow.

Crosby, who has been sidelined since January after being heavily concussed from a hit to the head but made a brief appearance at training on Monday, said he wanted the practice banned to protect players from serious injury.

"No matter if it's from the blindside or straight on, if someone targets the head, then yeah, I think that should be banned," Crosby said in an interview published on his team's official website on Monday.