31 NHL Players Benched for Head Injuries

How to Lower Hockey Players' Concussion Risk

In recent months, hockey fans have been shocked by the number of players taken out of the game for concussions, especially big names like Sidney Crosby and Chris Pronger. In a complete list of NHL hockey players who are currently pulled out of games due to injuries, 31 NHL players have head injuries or are out for concussion or post-concussion syndrome.

Signs & Symptoms of Concussions

Concussions in hockey can be caused by hits to the head, face, neck, or back. This can include hits against the boards, or hits to the head and face during fights against opponents.

Concussion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep patterns. These symptoms can show up immediately, or even months after the injury. This can have debilitating effects on the rest of a hockey player's life and career, since concussions can cause swelling that may lead to coma or death.

Currently, players are tested for concussion if they are diagnosed by showing the symptoms after a hard hit. A neurological exam tests memory, concentration, vision, reflexes, and balance. If it is more serious, or if the person has had many concussions, they may do a CT scan which can help identify any trauma to the brain tissue.

Decreasing the Risk of Hockey Head Injuries

Stricter Contact Rules for Hockey: To try to decrease the amount of concussions in the game, the NHL and minor hockey leagues have been making more rules and instilling more penalties and game suspensions for behaviours that can contribute to head injuries.

Some are proposing to ban fighting from junior leagues because, as Alan Maki, said in his Globe and Mail sports column "player safety is paramount and...blows to the head from fighting could cause brain injuries in young players."

Improved Hockey Helmets: In an attempt to lessen the risk further, the Bauer brand of hockey gear has just unveiled its new helmet, called RE-AKT. Rebecca Lindell at Global News Online, said that the new helmet is designed to "help deal with rotational force impacts" and decrease "stress to the brain [by] 17 per cent". A Bauer helmet YouTube commercial shows how the helmet prevents the brain from moving as much as in regular hockey helmets.

More Head Injuries or More Frequent Diagnosis?

Given stricter rules and advanced helmet technology, the fans and the media would expect to see less players out for concussions, but we are seeing more players out of the game. Is this due to an increase in the incidence of concussions in the game, or an increase in diagnosis of the symptoms?

In the past, hockey players were known to hide their symptoms so they could continue playing, or they would only sit out a few games, despite doctor recommendations. Since the media has focused attention on injured players and the long-term consequences of leaving concussions undetected, players are being tested more often and more extensively.

Die-hard hockey fans believe tighter rules mean less fighting and checking, the element many fans equate with spirit even if doctors equate it with danger.