Source For Sports and Stopconcussions.com launched their Head Zone initiative to the community as the issue of concussions in sports has come to the forefront in hockey.
Jim Thomson, self-admitted “enforcer” during his nine years in the NHL, called for an end to the violence, which begins with ruling against fighting.
“I can say with certainty, because I was an enforcer, that we must take the violence out of the greatest game in the world”. Dennis Maruk agreed with Jim, and noted that “players don’t seem to have the respect for others in the game anymore”.
Dave Powell of Sports Room Source For Sports in Drumheller is proud to be partnering with Stopconcussions.com.
“It is amazing how our helmet manufacturers including Bauer, Reebok, CCM, Easton and Cascade, the medical community, and the athletes who are willing to share their stories, have come together to address this issue. Our young players and their families are important to us, as is this issue.”
Keith Primeau, former Philadelphia Flyers captain and founder of Stopconcussions.com applauded the efforts of Source For Sports® stores across Canada who will be hosting Helmet Fitting Week September 26 to October 2. All hockey players are encouraged to bring their helmet to their local Source For Sports® store, no matter where they purchased it, for inspection and fitting assessment in the Head Zone.
Paul Rosen, Gold Medalist with the 2006 Canadian Sledge Hockey team in Turino, Italy, suffered several concussions throughout his career. His injuries have caused memory loss among other symptoms.
“I have children and grandchildren”, said Rosen. I want to be with them and remember things and right now I can’t do that because of trauma to my brain during sport that could have been avoided”.
Katie Starke, former player in the OWHA and the York University Lions Women’s Hockey team, gave a moving account of the difficulties she has had after multiple concussions, including learning difficulties. Her wish is that with the help of Stopconcussions.com and Source For Sports® partnership, parents will be able to better identify concussion symptoms and get the right medical treatment for their injured child, so that no one has to live with the struggles she faces daily.
“It is an invisible injury,” stated Dr. Michelle Keightley, Clinical Neuropsychologist. “Education is key for the management of concussions. We need to bring awareness to the symptoms in order to diagnose and treat these injuries effectively.”
Dr. Keightley stated that studies have shown that the effectiveness of mouth guards in concussion prevention are inconclusive. “A helmet that fits properly is going to be an important prevention tool”.
