Quote:
Originally Posted by corporatejay
http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/s...tml?id=8081319
I think this is significant. Effectively, unless we start legislating some of the headshots, deliberate or not, out of the game, you're going to have resulting brain damage. To be fair, if a grown man knows the risks and decides to play anyway, that's on him, players just need to have all the information.
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I think the "OMG ban all head shots!" argument misses the point, actually. While it is a subjective argument, I would say to consider the CHL. Of the three leagues, think about which one is always making TSN highlights for giant, devastating hits where some kid gets smoked in the brain. It is nearly always the OHL. And the OHL is the league with the strictest head shot rules in the CHL by far. The reason, I would argue, is that David Branch and the OHL are teaching players that it is okay to skate with your head down. Don't worry about being oblivious to the risks around you, the rules will protect you!
And that is how things like this happen to Nail Yakupov:
The solution, as it so often is, is education. Going after guys targeting the head is definitely warranted, but the leagues need to be equally focused on reinforcing the need to be aware, and the need to avoid putting yourself in dangerous spots. The more we coddle players into believing the rules will save them, the more injuries will occur.
Side note: in the NCAA, the rate of concussions in women's hockey is double that of the men's game for much the same reason. If you aren't expecting to take a hit, your body isn't prepared to absorb the impact.