Head Injuries In Hockey Research Paper

Head Injuries in Today 's NHL The National Hockey League is one of the most intense and aggressive leagues in the world. The NHL is home to the best professional hockey players in the world; professionals who perform every night for their teammates, coaches, and especially their fans. This is a league where every night players risk their bodies being knocked to the ice and punched in the face by their opponents. Because of this risk, the NHL needs to find a way to protect the star players they have. Fighting and open ice hits should be removed from the game of hockey in order to limit head injuries, avoid deadly situations, and encourage better quality game. During the last few years, head injuries have really been highlighted in the
sporting world, especially hockey. If an individual were to take a look at the number of head injuries in the 1980 's and into the early 1990 's, they would notice that not many players were being diagnosed with concussions. Throughout seasons 2010-12, ". . .researchers estimated there were about 5.23 concussions per 100 games."(Helen Branswell 1) Each team plays an eighty two game schedule, therefore one team suffers approximately 4.3 concussions per season. In addition, further data shows that twenty four percent of one teams active roster will suffer a concussion during the duration of one NHL season. These startling statistics explain just how many head injuries NHL players are suffering, and further evidence illustrates that a large amount of concussions can be avoided. Between 2006 and 2010, eighty eight percent of head injuries were a result of player to player contact, and sixteen of those incidents were caused by fighting (Branswell 1). The NHL and its players can avoid a significant amount of head injuries in today 's game by simply doing away with open ice hitting and fighting. Hockey fans support the NHL because they love the game of hockey, not because they enjoy watching a star player flop around on the ice unconscious. The NHL needs to protect the players they invest in by giving them more freedom on the ice and less chance of injury during the game. Fourth line grinders, often called the "tough guys", have the hardest job of the whole team.
With the least amount of ice time, these players are called upon for the most specific task of taking out the other teams goon. Derek Boogaard, former New York Ranger, had this role for his team. Towering at six foot seven and weighing a massive 265lbs, Boogaard had everything to be the league 's best enforcer. Unfortunately, on May 13th of 2011, Boogaard committed suicide. Chelsea Whyte, a scientist in Bedford, Massachusetts, states that after examining his brain, "Neurologists at the Veterans Affairs Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE)... found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerate disease."(Whyte 1). Whyte continues to explain that Boogaard suffered brain trauma in his frontal lobe, which can be attributed to multiple concussions obtained from years of fighting. The damage to Boogaard 's brain increased his violent tendencies and lowered his self confidence, both of which are symptoms of having brain damage. Boogaard 's aggressive behavior resulted in more fighting and further damage to his brain. Boogaard 's suicide can be directly linked to his career as an NHL player. Without fighting in the game, Boogaard may still be living life to his full potential. Fighting needs to be removed from the game to protect players from brain damage and keep them alive and
well. As displayed on the world stage, violence is not necessary in order to play a skilled, fast paced, exciting game.
Every year on Boxing Day, the World Juniors tournament for players under 20 begins. The NHL stars of tomorrow compete for their country on the sweaters as well as to create a name for themselves. This generates an intense, excellent quality of hockey which fans love every single year. The one main difference between the World Juniors and the NHL is that fighting is illegal in the World Juniors tournament. There are people who believe that without fighting the game would suffer due to a lack of sportsmanship. Shawn Horcoff, current Dallas Stars centre-man, expresses his feeling toward the issue if fighting was removed from the game: "I think there would be a lot more guys running around, a lot more high sticks, a lot more hits from behind."(Whyno). Horcoff is not alone in believing this; actually, 98% of NHL players in 2011 supported to keep the game how it is, fighting included (Whyno). On the contrary, another highly supported hockey event is the Olympics. NHL superstars get a chance to earn a gold medal only once every four years. A gold medal in the Olympics is considered by many, even current NHL players, to be a greater feat than winning the Stanley Cup. Along with the World Juniors, fighting is also illegal in the Olympics. As far as the quality of hockey being displayed on the Olympic stage, it is second to none. Olympic athletes are not looking to
clobber someone and knock them out with a huge hit; players are playing the game to win. At the Olympics no one has contract to play for, everyone has the same goal in mind, to win. With no fighting on the world stage, it is clear fighting should also be illegal in the NHL. Without fighting and open ice hits occurring on a nightly basis the NHL can be as intense as it is today; with less injuries. By removing open ice hitting, players can enjoy the freedom of playing to their full potential without having to worry about being hurt during the game. Fighting causes further chance of injury, and without it, the game would continue to be just as fast paced and exciting to watch, as the Olympics and World Juniors. The NHL would benefit from removing fighting and open ice hitting by having a safer game, continuing to bring a fast and exhilarating sport, and limiting deadly injuries. Word Count: 998

Works Cited
Branswell, Helen. "Study finds recent rule changes didn 't reduce rates of concussions in NHL." The Globe and Mail 17 Jul. 2013. Web.
Whyno, Stephen. "Game safer if fighting stays, NHL players say." Toronto Star 7 Nov. 2013: S1. Web.
Whyte, Chelsea. "Hockey 's Hard Knocks May Not Lead To Brain Injury.(Hockey Player, Derek Boogaard Was Diagnosed To A Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) (Case Study). "New Scientist" 2843 (2011): 10. General OneFile. Web. 20 Mar. 2014