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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman brushes off concussion criticism from U.S. senator

TORONTO -- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is brushing aside the latest criticism from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal over the league's stance on concussions.

Blumenthal said earlier this week that the NHL, and Bettman in particular, were on the wrong side of history regarding the connection between concussions and long-term brain damage.

Bettman reiterated in an interview Wednesday that he wasn't "going to have a public debate about this."

He added that he believes "medical and scientific decisions should be made by scientists and physicians."

Bettman wrote a thorough 23-page letter in response to questions from Blumenthal regarding the NHL's stance on concussions and CTE.