NHL Injuries Raise Concerns

This has been a sobering winter for hockey fans:

• January 29--A puck flies into the throat of Montreal Canadiens forward Trent McLeary, leaving his life in the balance. McLeary was not wearing neck protection.
• February 21--When Marty McSorley clubs him in the head from behind, Donald Brashear's helmet comes loose. His head bounces off the ice several times, causing a concussion.
• March 11 --Toronto Maple Leaf Bryan Berard may lose sight in his right eye after being struck with a stick. This injury may end his promising hockey career. Berard was not wearing a visor.

The Canada Safety Council has longstanding concerns about the NHL's intransigence when it comes to protective equipment.

McSorley-Brashear Incident

On February 21, Donald Brashear's helmet came loose when he was clubbed in the head from behind. He collapsed, and his head bounced off the ice several times, causing a concussion and other injuries. The media rightly focused on the gratuitous and uncalled-for violence of Marty McSorley's attack.

The Canada Safety Council suggested that the injuries suffered by Mr. Brashear raise other serious questions. Was his head properly protected? Was his helmet properly secured? Did it comply with safety requirements, or was it one of the far-too-many unsafe helmets being worn by National Hockey League players?

Berard's Eye Injury

There has never been an eye injury of any sort in a hockey player wearing a full visor, says the Toronto Maple Leafs' eye specialist. Dr. Rob Devenyi, who treated Bryan Berard after his eye was hit on March 11, believes every player should wear a full visor.

The Obvious Conclusion

Wearing proper protective equipment does not seem to be a priority for some NHL players. In September 1994, the NHL ruled that all players must wear only CSA-approved equipment; uncertified equipment was not to be cleared for use by the League.

Wearing CSA-approved helmets and visors - and wearing them correctly - would reduce the number of serious head injuries suffered by professional hockey players.

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