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”.

    The St. Anthony’s Sabres Senior Girls soccer team showed improvement in each game at their home tournament last Friday and are hoping the learning curve continues until zones.
    The Sabres hosted three other teams on Friday to a one-day tournament. They understood they were going to be in tough, inviting Holy Trinity Academy, Highwood High School and Cochrane High School.
    “It is good to have these games now rather than at zones, now we have something we can work in practice because we played some games,” said coach Gavin Makse.
    The team faced Highwood High in their first game, and kept it close, losing 2-nil.  They next faced Cochrane, and fell 4-0. In their final match, they faced the defending Sabres Invitational Champs and went down 4-0.
    Makse says they have three areas to focus on as they progress throughout the season.
    “Obviously finishing, because we didn’t score a goal,” said Makse. “When you get the opportunity, you have to put the ball in the back of the net.”
    He would also like the team to mark up when they lose possession.
    “When you give teams like that much room, it gives them that much more time to get their shots off, and be more accurate,” said Makse.
    The other focus is limiting their touches when they do have the ball. This means keeping their heads up and moving the ball efficiently.
    The team, with seven returning players and nine new player on the field is preparing for zones coming up October 14 and 15 in Cochrane. Competition will be strong; in fact, last year’s top three placing teams were the same ones that were in Drumheller last Friday.