Posted on 19th March 2010 by Gordon Johnson in Brain Injury
brain damage, brain injury attorney, Mark Sevard concussion, NHL and brain injury, NHL and concussion
The National Hockey League isn’t dragging its feet on the concussion issue. It is looking to adopt a rule that would ban blind-side checks to the head this season, according to several published reports Thursday.
NHL general managers met in Boca Raton, Fla., last week to essentially craft a ban on what are often called head shots. The group initially wanted to prohibit blind-side checks for next season, but then some of them pushed to have the process fast-tracked, so officials can impose penalties on those who engage in blind-side head checks this season. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/sports/hockey/18hits.html?ref=sports
The general managers moved for the quick action in the wake of a March 7 incident involving Boston Bruin Marc Savard, who may be out the rest of the season. He suffered a concussion after the Penguins Marr Cooke gave him a blind-side hit. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/17/sports/la-sp-nhl-head-hit-20100318
Under the proposed NHL rule, such a hit would result in a two-minute or five-minute penalty. Cooke wasn’t penalized for his hit on Savard because currently blind-side hits to the head are legal in pro hockey.
The New York Times reported that on Wednesday the NFL office in Toronto started handing out a video that depicted what will and will not be permitted under the blind-side head check ban.
The proposed ban on the blind-side checks will have to be approved by the NHL competition committee, and which is comprised of five general managers and five players.
The Times says that the committee is expected to approve the ban, which has been advocated by the NHL players’ union. Then the ban would have to be approved unanimously by the NHL board of directors.
Posted on 9th March 2010 by Gordon Johnson in Brain Injury
brain injury, brain injury attorney, concussion, NHL and concussion, NHL considers concussion rules, Savard concussion
The National Hockey League is looking to do what its counterparts at the National Football League have been doing: Find ways to curb concussions.
NHL general managers are meeting in Boca Raton, Fla., this week. They are expected to come up with recommendations on how the league can cut down on concussions, and on Monday did some research on the topic. They saw a video and presentation on concussions. http://www.facebook.com/MyHSN?o=!BNTG0&cm_sp=Global*BN*FaceBook#!/photo.php?pid=3728833&id=21001247744
One physician, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, who leads the sports concussion program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is quoted as saying that the force of blows to the head are similar in hockey and football.
Some medical experts are advocating that the NHL adopt a zero-tolerance policy for blows to the head.
At least one sports columnist Monday argued that the number of concussions in the NHL has dropped. http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/776933–cox-concussion-conundrum-faces-nhl-executives He didn’t expect pro hockey to enact many changes.
To illustrate the concern, Boston Bruins center Marc Savard suffered another concussion on Sunday. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=520708 Savard, who has had prior concussions, was hurt when the Bruins lost to the Penguins. The Penguins’ Matt Cooke hit Savard in the head with his shoulder.
