Colton Orr has pronounced himself fit to return from a concussion — and, in doing so, has illustrated why the Leafs consider him such a dedicated warrior.

In a press conference Friday to open Leafs camp, Orr spoke publicly for the first time about his recovery from a Jan. 20 fight in Anaheim in which he sustained a concussion that essentially ended his season.

“Any time you have (a concussion), I think we’re always concerned,” Orr said.

“I went through a lot of testing. I had the best doctors and great support from the team. I’m ready to play, ready to drop the gloves or whatever it takes to do my job.”

That announcement comfortably settled questions about his health and provided another perspective on the sensitive subject of concussions and head shots in the NHL.

Rather than touch on concerns about his own well-being, the 29-year-old, who is among the NHL’s most prolific pugilists, instead stood behind his on-ice role.

“It’s been a tough job so there’s always concern,” he said. “But it’s my job, it’s the choice I’ve made and I love being in the NHL and standing up for my teammates.”

That sentiment spoke volumes about why the Leafs see him as a valuable part of their team going forward, even as other teams are steering away from enforcer-type players. Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman, for example, has said he will not open a roster spot to a player whose only role is fighting.

Orr’s comments also came in the still-sensitive aftermath of the deaths of three NHL enforcers over the summer — Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak.

Belak’s death touched off debate about the possible connection between depression — which Belak suffered from, according to his mother and a number of friends — and the duties of a hockey enforcer.

Several past and present NHL fighters argued bitterly against the suggestion that the tragedies that befell the three late players were linked to their roles as enforcers.

Amid the controversy, Orr said that he’s just focused on going out and doing his job.

“There’s always speculation about fighting, but that’s out of my control,” Orr said.

“But for young guys there’s support (for depression sufferers) and older guys who you can talk to and they’ll help you out.”

Orr was never abandoned by the Leafs in his recovery from his concussion, and remains the Leafs’ enforcer. He was ensured he would have a job to return to when he was healthy.

Orr suffered his injury during a fight with Anaheim’s George Parros in which he was punched, then taken to the ice where he struck the surface headfirst.

“I got hit and I hit the ice. I experienced concussion symptoms. I needed time to rest and heal,” Orr said.

“I was a rare case, a lot of my stuff showed up on MRI, cognitive tests, where I didn’t show the results like they should be.”

Initial reports suggested Orr might be ready to play again with about two weeks remaining in the season. But he was shut down for the 2010-11 campaign and his health status was left somewhat of a mystery until Friday’s announcement.

Despite the injury, Orr said he didn’t consider the possibility that his playing days were over.

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“I never had that in my head,” he said. “I’ve always had in my mind that I was playing, that I’d come back and help the team.”

When asked if he feared that his style of play could cost him his career, he said: “No, I will play my game.

“The biggest thing is to stay in shape and stay healthy, but I’ll play my game for sure.”

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