While the spectre of head injuries and concussions hangs over sport now more than any other time, it has become all too real to a young Drumheller hockey player working his way onto the international stage.
inSide Drumheller has reported the rise of Tyler Stahl in his hockey career. He has gone from starting in FunTeam to working his way up to being a sixth round pick for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2010.
He was in the best condition of his career when he started this season playing for the Victoria Royals, but in this fourth game of the season, he was knocked to the ice. Since then his hockey dream has been put on hold as he deals with concussion symptoms.
Tyler, the 19-year-old defenseman holds no resentment to the player. The shot came in the third period in a road game versus Prince George. It was ruled a head shot.
Tyler has had a concussion before, but this was something different.
He continued with the team on the road trip, but didn’t play. Rather than flying home, he was driven.
Since then he has begun a long process of healing, and this healing involves a whole lot of nothing. He is seeing his doctor about once every two days. His symptoms include headaches and sensitivity to noise.
The awareness of concussions in sports has never been as visible as Sidney Crosby struggling with his recovery. As the game changes, so do the injuries.
“The game is faster and the higher speed creates harder contact,” sad Stahl.
He acknowledges how important his recovery is and admits even without his doctor’s guidance he would be treating his recovery seriously. He has seen players get back on the ice before they are ready.
“I saw a guy who got one of his first ones (concussions) recently, and he played the next game. I would have done that four years ago too, but I have learned a lot about it the last couple years,” he said. “There are guys in the NHL for 10 years who now have headaches every day of their lives.”
He has made progress, the headaches are fewer, and he has been cleared for some light workouts, although this is day to day.
“The main thing for me now is getting back into shape, I’ve been sitting on the couch for at least two months doing nothing. I can’t even go to the rink and hang out (because of noise),” said Tyler.
Tyler was drafted by the Hurricanes in 2010, and this may be his year to sign a professional contract.
“When you are drafted, they hold your rights for two years usually, and then wait until your second year to sign you. Other wise you are back to being a free agent, and anyone can talk to you,” said Tyler.
If a player is signed, they will go to the next season’s training camp, and then be assigned to a team. That could be with the NHL team, the AHL or back to junior.
Tyler said he has been in contact with Carolina and they have been monitoring his situation and says they are pretty positive.
For now, it is a matter of waiting and healing for Tyler.
