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The Epidemic of Concussions in Professional Hockey

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The Epidemic of Concussions in Professional Hockey
The Epidemic of Concussions in Professional Hockey
Anthony Leotta
DeVry University

Why is there an epidemic of concussions in the Professional Hockey? (National Hockey League) What is being done within the sport to minimize head injuries? The current epidemic in professional hockey is evidence that hockey needs better prevention in addition to better treatment.
Fallen Stars Pittsburgh Penguins Center Sidney Crosby has been at the center of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) concussion debate. He has missed 41 games (basically half the 2011-2012 season) due to concussion issues. At 24 years old with such acumen for the game, he is without a doubt the face of professional hockey. Another high profile example is Philadelphia Flyer Defenceman Chris Pronger who has played just 13 games this season for the Flyers. During a game in late October Pronger was struck with a stick in the eye. No penalty was called on the play. He missed games until Nov. 9. He was removed from the lineup just five games later with concussion-like symptoms. He missed the rest of the regular season and the entire playoffs which start this week. The examples here are only two only the many players who are currently dealing with concussions, yet these two players have brought the issue to the forefront which has forced head injuries to be taken more seriously.
(Illustration 1: Chris Pronger takes a stick to the face.)

The Professional Hockey Mindset Current National Hockey League Commissioner, Gary Bettman has asked many inquiring questions to the governing body of the league along with the general managers of all thirty teams on how to handle this delicate issue. Hockey is a collision sport, not just a contact sport. Rough contact is an essential part of the game. Hockey is also an extremely fast game. During the General Manager meetings in March of 2011 Bettman was quoted, “A full 14 percent of N.H.L. concussions are caused by “legal head shots”; i.e., north-south hits


References: Healthwise, (2010) What is a Concussion? WebMD-Better Information for Better Health. National Hockey League. (2011) Official Rules - Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head and Rule 28 - Supplementary Discipline. Received from: http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=64063 Trailkos, Michael. (2012) National Post – Sports: NHL GMs support hybrid icing rule, but it needs work. 4. 2011-2012 Norfolk Admirals Celebrate after their 25th straight win
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