Thought you all might like to see how one former Maine parent feels in the
wake of her son leaving the program.  It might offer some insight into the
departure beyond what we learned at the time.
 
This came from HOCKEY-L --
 
>From: VPPrice <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      Re: VIOLENT CONTACT
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>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:
>http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Midfield/2322/index.html
>NEW and UNDER CONSTRUCTION
>
>HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
>[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.
>