I certainly don't dispute that a hit to the head is illegal, but unfortunately
it becomes such a subjective call for the refs to make. Your original email
made it sound like a person shouldn't hit another player if their head is down,
and I still disagree with that.
I'd like to know what Bauer, Easton, CCM, Itech and Reebok are doing to advanced
helmet technology. It seems like the design of the helmet hasn't changed in 20+
years. Also a factor on head injuries isn't just contact but the improper fit
of helmets, facemasks and mouthgaurds. Watching yesterday's MW regional I was
surprised to see a bunch of masks hanging down an inch or more lower than they
should. There's lots we can do to lower head injuries without taking the
physicality out of hockey.
Matt Sullivan
Group Insurance Specialist
The Sullivan Agency, LTD.
www.sullivanagency.com
University of Minnesota Duluth, 1998
BU-LL-DO-G-S GOOOOO Bulldogs!!!!
________________________________
From: J. Michael Neal <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, March 28, 2011 10:25:06 AM
Subject: Re: observations of a weekend couch potato
On 3/28/2011 9:32 AM, Matt Sullivan wrote:
> Since when can't you hit a player when their head is down???
Since we started learning just how damaging concussions are. If you derive
enjoyment from watching people suffer brain damage, I can't stop you. I,
however, have been opting out pretty rapidly. I can't watch NFL football
anymore, and I'm losing patience with the NHL. Fortunately, I discovered that
women's hockey is a great game, with a much lower injury rate.
Given how large and how fast the players are today, the only way you're going to
stop the escalating rate of concussions is to prevent hits to the head. It
doesn't matter whether the checked player's head is up or down. Either
eliminate those hits, or you'll see a continuing parade of players to the
hospital. The research being done on concussions in sports is frightening if
you care about the players' well being, particularly the evidence that an
accumulation of blows that do not produce concussion symptoms can do serious
long term damage.
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