APRIL 30 to MAY 5 the American Hockey Coaches Association Convention will be
held in Naples, Florida. On Saturday, May 2 the NCAA committee will hold a
rules session with coaches from 10:30am to noon. There will also be a face
mask/concussion panel from 9:00am to 10:30 am on Saturday. Discussion will
also include dental injuries and VIOLENT hits.
 
Faster, bigger hockey has inched its way into sharing a top spot with football
for seriousness of injuries. The NHL has instituted a league wide "Concussion
Evaluation Study" at the beginning of this season. The WCHA has been recording
these head injuries for the past three or four years due to the frequency of
concussions. Concussions are on the rise in hockey, in every level of the game
where there is contact.
 
Since the 1951 college hockey season the NCAA mandated the use of helmets.
Before then the game wasn't as fast and the players weren't as big; despite
this helmets were strongly recommended. According to Steve Hagwell, of the
NCAA, who specifically deals with rules, college coaches have requested that
the face mask be removed in an attempt to make the players feel less
invulnerable. The NCAA ruled that it was in the best interest of the athlete
to retain use of the face mask.
 
This month, in Stan Fischler's "Hockey News" column he said, " Incongruous as
it may seem, there would be fewer head injuries in the NHL if nobody wore a
helmet."
 
TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury happens to more than a half million Americans each
year. There is a misconception in regard to how these kinds of injuries occur,
a whiplash with no contact, high speed fall or collision can be causes. The
point of impact doesn't have to be directly on the head; it can be on the
cheek or the chin. The cumulative effects from more than one injury to the
head area can result in actual loss of brain cells. Even a mild concussion can
cause PSC, Post Concussion Syndrome. Symptoms which include, dizziness,
fatigue, memory loss, and headache often are the aftermath of a concussion
that can last as long as six months.
 
SIS, Or Second Injury Syndrome, or repeated blows to the head area including
what may appear as minor or seemingly insignificant contact, can in fact be
life threatening. If a player does not follow the guidelines of restraint and
resumes play he can cause irreparable brain injury or even death.
 
The Lindros brothers, who both have both endured concussions have joined
forces with the Ontario Brain Injury Association and Bauer Inc. to increase
public knowledge and understanding of concussions. In an interview with Al
Morganti on ESPN 2, Eric talked about his brother Brett. After sustaining
numerous concussions, Brett's NHL career was cut short by SIS.
 
For those of you who have opinions, or those of you who have sons playing the
game, you can fax the coach of your choice at this number: #941-435-2481
 
Please contact me for any further information at: [log in to unmask]
VIOLENTCONTACT is on the WWW at:
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