Concussions can be devastating and have ended many athletic careers. Two of the most notable names in hockey are Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau, former NHL stars, now sidelined due to what is termed post concussion syndrome. Undoubtedly, the effects of receiving numerous concussions over the span of their careers ended both prematurely.
Though it is not certain how or when either player received each individual concussion, it could be argued that several of the concussions were the result of a direct blow to the head from an opponent's incoming shoulder, elbow, forearm or stick.
It has only been within the last 15 years that concussions have been studied so aggressively. And even more recently – the last five years perhaps – headshots, the blows to the head that come as a result of an intentionally aggressive or misguided body check, have really come to light.
And the spotlight that both concussions and headshots have stepped into is not a flattering one.
Headshots, though often argued as being part of the game of hockey and an entertaining part at that, are frequently the direct cause of a concussion.
With the spotlight shinning brightly on these two aspects of hockey, many people around the game have begun to question whether headshots and concussions need to be part of hockey any longer.
Leagues, associations, coaches, managers and many players have made the connection between headshots and concussions. And many have come to the conclusion that eliminating headshots would eliminate a large number of concussions.
Though not nearly the sole contributor to concussions in hockey, headshots have become so contentious and widely discussed that some leagues have now gone forward with rules and penalties that ideally would eliminate almost all headshots from the game.
The NHL is not the leader in this area. In fact the NHL has been wavering on this subject, doling out after-the-fact suspensions, yet not making the headshot penalty call in the game.
Junior A hockey, on the other hand, is taking the lead. At the start of the 2010-11 season, Junior A hockey leagues in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Maritimes implemented a pilot project in which a supplemental penalty is given to any player issuing a blow to the head, a hit from behind or a blindside hit, with the severity of the penalty depending on the referee's assessment of the hit, according to AJHL president Craig Cripps.
Cripps explained it will be a two-year experiment, with ongoing dialogue between the leagues and Hockey Canada. This experiment will also have a control group, the Ontario Junior Hockey League, which uses the previous rules that did not include the new supplemental penalty.
“There has to be some way of controlling all this,” said Cripps in regards to headshots resulting in concussions. “And this is how we are trying to do it … providing a safe environment.”
So are headshots on their way out of hockey?
Dr. Louis Francescutti, injury researcher at the University of Alberta and emergency physician at the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton, argued that hitting should not be involved in the game at all.
The doctor said he frequently sees patients with concussions, as a result of what he calls “aggressive checking, or the deliberate attempts to injure.”
“These injuries are far more common than they were in the past, we've got to take them seriously. The brain can't repeatedly get concussed,” warned Francescutti. “I personally don't think there should be any hitting in hockey.”
And to remove the hitting to the head specifically, Francescutti believes strict rules would work.
“Have no tolerance for them whatsoever. Anyone who hits another player in the head and injures them should be ejected from the game and the hit should undergo a review.”
Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs forward Austen Hebert feels that headshots have always happened, but they are just now being singled out. However, he does not like the idea of penalizing unintentional headshots.
“If a guy is in a vulnerable position and you see the player strictly going for his head, yeah, give him a couple games. But I'm not sure if a penalty or suspension should be given if it's an unintentional headshot.”
Under the new rules in the five Canadian Junior Hockey Leagues, a player who is penalized for a hitting infraction (to the head, from behind, or blindside) would be dealt either a two minute supplemental penalty if the ref believes the play was not an intentional attempt to harm or injure, or a five minute penalty and game misconduct if the hit was seen to be malicious. It's not an automatic game misconduct, but there is still the possibility of one being handed out.
Cripps further explained that suspensions would result for players who accumulate the supplemental hitting penalty.
“We're doing whatever we can to protect the players' heads,” said Cripps. “There is room for fighting and hitting in our league, but we're not a brawling league.”
Head coach of the midget AA Northeast Panthers Mike Pasichnuk said he has seen a lot of headshots in his time in competitive hockey and believes Hockey Canada will get even tougher on players who deliver them.
“I think you are going to see them clamp down even more,” said Pasichnuk. “It's going to come to a point, when there is any hit to the head you're going to see some very severe consequences.”
That time does not appear far off.
Cripps said he has already handed out supplemental suspensions to players who have accumulated multiple hitting infractions and also explained coaches could be fined or even suspended for allowing a certain player to accumulate those supplemental penalties.
Cripps said coaches are just as responsible as the players are. “There has to be the same level of responsibility,” he said. “The supplement is designed to protect the players and stop any negative coaching tactics.
“And in my opinion the supplemental penalty is working so far.”
There is no hard evidence that the supplemental penalty is or isn't working, as the study is ongoing and will be officially reviewed following the two-year process.
Though it appears headshots could be on their way out of hockey, players, coaches and fans will just have to wait and see.
