Paul Kariya gets Crunched

After suffering numerous hits in the NHL, Paul Kariya was forced to retire following the 2010-2011 with post-concussion symptoms. Kariya retired after 15 seasons in the NHL as a point per game player. While Kariya has accomplished great things as an undersized hockey player, he will always be remembered for the injuries he suffered during his career. Kariya suffered numerous concussions in his career; as well as, two brain injuries from 1996 to 1998 from dirty hits.

Kariya was selected third overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, during the 1993 NHL Draft. He scored more than 50 goals during the 1995-1996 season, and scored more than 40 on two other occasions. Kariya will always be remembered as the captain of the Ducks and the face of that franchise for over nine seasons.

A player that dazzled many with his natural talent and faster than light speed, Kariya registered 989 points in 989 NHL games. All the speed in the world couldn’t prevent Kariya from connecting with Scott Stevens during the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup Finals. Kariya was flattened by Stevens in open ice, leading him to lay on the ice motionless for several minutes before being assisted off by the training and coaching staff. After leaving Anaheim to play for Colorado, St. Louis, and Nashville Kariya’s career was never the same. While Kariya is finally symptom free after 15 years in the NHL, he is still a strong advocate for concussion awareness. Kariya believes that players suffering concussions should re-habilitate themselves fully before returning to the ice. A player with amazing skill, and blazing speed was never the same after suffering this injury, showing readers how serious concussions can be.

 

 

Scott Stevens- Concussion Causer

After a career of successfully dealing concussions to his opponents, Scott Stevens was forced to retire after suffering post-concussion syndrome. Stevens was hit in the head by a puck during the 2003 NHL playoffs, en route to his third Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils. Scott Stevens’ impact on the NHL can simply be defined by his ability to destroy opponents through bone rattling hits (just ask Paul Kariya or Eric Lindros). To the surprise of few, Stevens originally wanted to become a football player. However, Stevens fell in love with the game of hockey which led him to becoming great NHL defensemen. Even though Stevens’ career was ended by a concussion, his impact on the game will always be for providing concussions.

During the 1999-2000 Eastern Conference Final series with the Philadelphia Flyers, Stevens would send Eric Lindros to the doctor with a levelling hit. Lindros was never the same after suffering this hit, leading to his decline. Although this hit was clean; it was a reminder to many, that any player was one hit away from being concussed at the hands of Scott Stevens (or should I say shoulder).

Controversy struck Stevens once again during the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup Finals series with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Stevens would destroy Paul Kariya with a menacing hit that would knock him out cold. However, Kariya would return and finish the game leaving Stevens unpunished for what could be viewed as a dirty hit. Even though Kariya finished the game, similar to Lindros his career was never the same after being hit by Stevens.

 

Sid the Kid Battles Concussions

Sidney Crosby can finally play hockey concussion free, after dealing with headaches for over 2 years. During his long battle with concussions, many questions surrounded the best player in the game. The pain began during the 2011 January 1 Winter Classic, when Crosby was blindsided by a dirty hit from Washington forward David Steckel. Like most young athletes Crosby rushed his recovery, and re-aggravated his injury with a hit from behind on January 5 2011. After being evaluated further the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Crosby would miss at least a week. At the time of this injury Crosby was dominating the NHL with 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in 41 games. Unfortunately, after showing all the potential to break numerous records, Crosby missed the remaining 42 games of the 2010-2011 season; as well as, the playoffs.

 

Due to the severity of this injury Crosby had to wait until March 14 just to resume skating for a 15 minute workout. Shortly after this Crosby suffered a setback that caused him to miss even more time. After waiting vigilantly and training hard for his return, Crosby played for nearly a month of the 2011-2012 season suffering another concussion setback. After this setback the Pittsburgh Penguins announce that Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely. Following nearly 2 months of mystery, the Penguins and Crosby’s agent announce that he has been diagnosed with a soft tissue injury in his neck, which is most likely causing concussion-like symptoms.

 

 

Crosby returned early in March and has been concussion free since. In this case a dynamic and heavily skilled player is still able to play hockey at a high level, even though he has dealt with numerous concussions. For the sake of the NHL and fans alike; hopefully Sidney Crosby can enjoy a long and successful career concussion free.

Mike Richter Can’t Stop Concussions

Former NHL goalie Mike Richter is known as one of the most successful American Goaltenders to ever play in net. Richter led the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup Championship in 1993-1994, and represented America in goal for various international tournaments. Due to much success in his playing career, Richter was inducted into the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.

After suffering 2 concussions in 8 months, the American born talent was regrettably forced to retire. After suffering these concussions Richter noticed that his thought process was altered dramatically, as the once sharp mind he had felt less effective. Richter’s heart was struck with deep sadness, after being forced to stop playing the game he loved due to concussions. As a father of 3, he was aware that playing after these injuries would be a great risk to his health. Richter played in 666 games, winning 301 of them, after spending his whole 14 year career with the New York Rangers.

After his retirement, Richter felt that he had more game left in him which made his final decision all the more harder. Richter played his final game on November 5, 2002 after he was involuntarily hit in the head by Todd Marchant. Richter then missed the last 9 games of the season with a fractured skull and concussion after being hit with a shot in the mask. Any hope Richter had of playing again were crushed, after neurologist Karen Johnston, told him his prognosis was not getting better over 3 months. A warrior like Mike Richter could have played through various injuries, but a concussion was not one of them.