How big a problem are concussions in hockey?
Hockey parents told me that 1/4 of their kids had suffered a concussion, 2/3 were under age 15. This is a huge concern because critical brain development occurs between the ages of 10 and 17. Girls are twice as susceptible to concussions than boys. This is a growing problem because hockey registration by girls U-18 increased 3.5x in the last 10 years, as compared to boys in the same age group.
Adult players are also concerned. Half told me that they had suffered at least one concussion (from 1-6); and like me, 1/3 had a concussion PLUS a neck injury and ¾ were afraid of future [brain] injuries.
Consequences of Concussions
There are many short and long-term consequences of concussions. There are physical ones, like the ones I experienced. There are cognitive problems, such as poor memory; and emotional and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. CTE is a form of dementia that’s associated with repeat concussions, suicide and death – we’ve all heard tragic stories about former NFL and NHL players who ended their lives!
We now know that concussions are caused by the brain shaking or striking the sides of the skull. Concussions caused by whiplash or rotational movement of the head and neck cause more severe concussions then those from direct hits to the head. In the 2011 outdoor Winter Classic game, Sidney Crosby was blind-sided by a hit that kept him on the injured reserve list for almost 1-year, with a concussion and a neck injury.
