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.

Bob Probert- The Enforcer

Unlike most athletes discussed on this blog, Bob Probert was not one that relied on skill or finesse during his hockey career. Probert was an enforcer; and he did a good job of doing it, winning most of his 246 fights on the ice. After 16 seasons in the NHL with Detroit and Chicago, his 3,300 penalty minutes make him fifth on the league’s career list. Similar to other NHL enforcers, Probert suffered from alcohol and cocaine addictions during his career. Probert died of heart failure at the age of 45.

After examining Probert’s brain tissue, researchers at Boston University said that he suffered from degenerative brain disease - Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This disease was also present in more than 20 deceased professional football players, which led to the NFL changing rules and policies in an effort to limit head injuries.

Although the NHL is trying to reduce hits to the head in hockey, they are still allowing players to fight. This puts enforcers in a dangerous position, due to possible brain diseases caused by fighting. The NHL will eventually have to ban fighting, if more enforcers continue to suffer from depression, brain diseases and alcohol and substance dependencies. The death of Probert has raised concussion awareness in the sport, and will continue to be monitored in order to ensure the safety of players.

Wasted Talent- Pat Lafontaine

Pat Lafontaine was widely known as one of the best American born players to ever play in the NHL. However, after suffering six concussions in seven seasons, he was forced to cut his career short in 1998. Lafontaine celebrated 468 goals and 545 assists in 15 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers, on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

 At 5 foot 10, and 180 pounds; Lafontaine was able to dazzle with his amazing puck handling and scoring abilities. Even though he was immensely talented, he could not overcome the dreaded post-concussion syndrome. Lafontaine career was tragically cut short, as the talented center could have posted even more impressive numbers; had he not suffered numerous concussions.

He believes that once you get to a certain point with head injuries there is no turning back; which is why most players are cut short because of them. A muscular tear or sprain can heal with time; however, the human brain is a complex organ that sometimes takes years to recover from- if that. Lafontaine is making a large impact off the ice through his Companions in Courage Foundation, which helps children and their families overcome life-threatening obstacles. Lafontaine’s advice to young hockey players is to not come back too early from any concussion. Concussions are easily aggravated and can persist if athletes return to the ice without being fully recovered.

Lafontaine was first diagnosed with concussions after a vicious hit from Francois Leroux. Doctors advised Lafontaine not to return, but he did and was never the same player. Lafontaine finds it ironic that even 13 years after he was hit, there are a lot of similar situations left in the game. Hockey needs to be made safer and better for players, in order to ensure long and healthy careers and lives.