Kids and concussions

The Toronto Star has an interesting Tale of Two Concussions, telling a story most hockey moms and many hockey dads worry about.
I suppose in retort, Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, a longtime minor hockey volunteer, offers a retort. (Scroll to the end of Simmons' column.)
We got off easy with head injuries, but not so several of my son's teammates over the years, including one who was drilled into the boards by a boy of much larger body size during their first year of bodychecking and another, in midget, the pinnacle of minor hockey, who not once, not twice, but three times came back too early only to see his entire city and high school seasons fizzle.

Concussions are not child's play

Chris Stevenson has a must-read column in the Toronto Sun and its affiliated newspapers today for all minor hockey parents and players.
It's about a young Calgary player and his experience with a concussion, an all-too-common injury in minor hockey.
While our hockey-playing son has never suffered a concussion, many past and present teammates have. They've been forced to miss school, huge chunks of the schedule and, in one case, forced to leave hockey.
It doesn't have to be that way.
Coaches, referees, parents and players need to be on the same page when it comes to contact with heads and the significant, life-changing injuries which can result.
The NHL doesn't help matter much. The league every minor hockey kid follows and looks up to needs to set a better example in eliminating head shots and taking more seriously the concussion recovery process.

One in 10 minor hockey players suffer concussions

A new survey suggests one in 10 minor hockey players suffer concussions - and based on what I've seen, I'd say the findings are bang on.
It's time to be wise about concussions. Coaches, parents and players need a new level of awareness, a new level of respect.
What happens if minor hockey doesn't improve its attitude towards concussions and hits to the head? Would government step in to order a ban on body checking as a way to safeguard the health of kids?
Could happen.
Here is the latest minor hockey concussion story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Mayo Clinic focuses on concussions in all levels of hockey

Our son has been lucky. He's had only one suspected, minor concussion as a result of playing minor hockey. It wasn't a hit. It was a whack with a stick on the back of the head while he was sprawled on the ice after delivering a legal hit. The opposing player he hit struck back with his stick. And no, there was no penalty on the play.
My nephew, who once played on teams with first round NHL draft pick Brayden Schenn in Saskatoon, was forced to quit hockey early due to concussions suffered on the ice and on the rugby field. He faced a choice of risking another concussion and perhaps being left unable to play the guitar well or leaving contact sports. He's now in a Saskatchewan rock band.
There are many important things to remember about minor hockey. Rule 1: Kids come first. Rule 2: Hockey is temporary; heads are for life.
Today, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., starts a seminar on concussions in hockey at all levels. Let's all pay attention. Here's a link to today's CBC story http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/10/18/sp-concussion-summit.html