Concussions In Hockey Essay

Concussions in Hockey: Its Effects on The Game

Contact sports today, such as hockey have had serious effects on the health of athletes. Perhaps the most common injury in hockey is the concussion. Modern day equipment has increased the health and safety of athletes across all ages. Organizations such as the National Hockey League have recently taken precautions in effort to reduce the occurrence of the injury. The argument here is that numerous players and fans disagree with the recent changes that have been made to the game due to the injury. The argument represented is that leagues such as the NHL should focus more on the players causing concussions, rather than changing the game that we all love. The altercations to the sport have helped

in some ways, but demonstrates a decrease in the enjoyment of the game. One of the common injury concerns throughout all ages of contact sports is the concussion. The fact of the matter is, although concussions are a serious issue, people claim that certain changes could be ruining the overall enjoyment of a game. The differing views on this issue come from the several perspectives, the players, doctors, parents, and spectators. How are the recent changes in contact rules affecting the game of hockey?
The history of the concussion and how it may be changing the game has become of great concern. Hockey has always been a dangerous, high contact game. In 1979, the National Hockey League took their first action on concussions by requiring the players to wear helmets. In 1997, the NHL first introduced their concussion policy in which the players with a possible concussion are required to perform a neuropsychological series of tests through the team before confirmation on when to return. According to that Neuropsychology’s Sports Concussion Symposium, 765 National Hockey League players were diagnosed with a concussion in the years of 2006 to 2011. As time goes on, parents and doctors have raised concerns about children beginning to involve themselves in contact sports. Therefore, in 2010, USA Hockey removed the ability of body checking for 11-12-year old’s. Just recently, the National Hockey League has changed the material they use for the glass surrounding the outside of the ice. The new glass is a lot more flexible and is used to reduce the impact on the head.
The different altercations that have been in the game of hockey has caused controversy.

The first argument comes from the player’s perspective. In Emily Kroshus’ article, she explains how NCAA hockey players are failing to report their injury. Players like myself, do this because they feel capable of playing the high-speed game. Not considering the consequences that come with playing with such an injury. Players across the country are unhappy with the altercations that are being placed because of injuries like concussions. These changes are resulting in the diminishing the player’s enjoyment. As a player, I am unhappy with these modifications and believe that the changes that have been made should be reconsidered and possibly returned to their original intent. The removal of the old-school bone crushing hits and enjoyable “brawls” has resulted in reducing the overall enjoyment of the sport not only from player’s perspective, but the fee-paying public. Alternatively, the changes that have been made to these sports has been popular among parents as well as

doctors.
The second argument comes from the perspective of fans. Changes in sports today have made the entertainment value of some of the games less amusing. For example, at different levels of hockey such as the NHL, USHL, and NAHL, the occurrence of fighting during games has taken a dramatic downturn. Therefore, the number of fans attending the games has decreased as well. The hits and intense fights are part of what attracts fans and the modifications have negatively impacted all high contact sports today. Countless fans are upset with the changes, but the most important aspect, the safety of the players, has been improved. However, the changes that have been made to increase the safety has helped the game. Without the rules that outlaw fighting and hits to the head, star players in the league to stay such as Sidney Crosby stay in the lineup. As a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby has missed multiple games due to concussions. After the recent changes in hits to the head and fighting, Crosby has been playing more which is was fans enjoy. Even though the fighting and horrible hits to the head have been reduced, some aspects of the game are still alive. True talent is difficult to show with a concussion.
With all of the recent changes to the game of hockey come numerous strengths and weaknesses. The new rules have increased the safety players at all levels. The occurrence of the injury has dramatically decreased. Penalties such as head contact have somewhat prevented players from making illegal hits that cause concussions. However, the issue calls for many weaknesses. As stated before, the addition of rules and penalties has reduced the enjoyment of the game for both players and fans. It has always been known that big hits and intense fights play an important role in the game. Other weaknesses include the players making the hits. Organizations are focusing on adding penalties instead of punishing the players that make illegal hits. For example, just 2 days ago during the Penguins vs. Capitals NHL playoff game, Matt Niskanen of the Washington Capitals performed an illegal hit on Pittsburgh Penguins player Sidney Crosby. The focus of the hit was on the high-level player’s head, causing a concussion. The collision has caused controversy among the league because it is thought that the hit was preventable. Niskanen was only disciplined with a game misconduct. The collision is taking Crosby out for potentially the rest of the playoffs. Targeted hits like these need to receive more punishment, such as a fine and suspension .
Even though the changes made to the game of hockey have caused controversy, the uttermost important aspect is the safety of the players. In Brian W. Benson’s article, he states, “Concussion results in a graded set of clinical symptoms that may or may not involve loss of consciousness or memory dysfunction.” Major injuries are always an issue when it comes to contact sports among all ages. Due to this, changes have been made to the physical rules of the game. For example, in all levels, there is now a penalty for head contact. Hockey is a fast-paced game and it can be difficult to perform a clean body check. Therefore, this new penalty has been issued so players can do whatever they can to avoid the head. In John Branch’s book, Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard, the novel talks about a kid growing up suffered a serious concussion due to a dirty hit in one of his hockey games. The concussion was so serious and not properly treated, which ended in his passing. Derek isn’t the only one with such a story. Other tragic injuries like the concussion has occurred in sports other than hockey. After this book was published, the hockey world realized how serious this injury is.
The issue of the concussion has caused controversy from doctors, players, and fans.

It is no question that the number one priority is to keep athletes of all ages as safe as possible. However, numerous players and fans feel as if organizations should focus their attention on players causing concussions. If the NHL were to discipline players such as Matt Niskanen with large fines and potential suspensions, we would see a decrease in the injury. The game of hockey can stay a high contact game as long as players know how to properly perform a legal hit. The three perspectives on the issue of the concussion has caused for changes to the game of hockey. Although these changes have not been ultimately supported by the players and fans, the number one priority has become the safety of the athletes.

References:

Saffary, Roya, Lawrence S. Chin, and Robert C. Cantu. “Sports Medicine: Concussions in Sports.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, vol. 6, no. 2, 2012

Wandlind, Michael W. and Oscar Guillamondegui. “Eliminating the Confusion Surrounding Concussions in Sports”. JAMA vol. 314 no. 13, 2015. 4 Mar 2017

Benson, Brian W. “A Prospective Study of Concussions among National Hockey League Players during Regular Season Games: The NHL-NHLPA Concussion Program” vol. 183 2011, Mar 4. 2017

Kroshus, Emily, “Norms, Athletic Identity, and Concussion Symptom Under Reporting among Male Collegiate Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 49,

2015