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CJHL implements nationwide concussion program

Sep 25, 2018 | 5:53 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Showcase is used to show off the talent in the league to collegiate hockey scouts, although the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) used the stage to show off a new concussion program.

The CJHL, an association of 10 Junior A hockey league which includes the SJHL, along with the Co-operators insurance company revealed their new concussion program with technology from HeadCheck Health (HeadCheck).

HeadCheck, is a health company that has provided software to and monitored athletes for around 450 teams, leagues, and associations, will provide software to every team in the CJHL to follow its concussion protocol.

Harrison Brown, CEO and Co-founder of HeadCheck, told battlefordsNOW his group is customizing what hockey staff members can do depending on their roles and what is thought to be best practice.

“In the CJHL you have some teams where there’s a medical trainer, like a certified athletic therapist, but there’s also other teams where they don’t have that, and they’ve got an equipment manager who is acting as a trainer,” Brown said.

“We’re not allowing equipment managers to diagnose concussions, we’re allowing them to be involved in executing the concussion program by suspecting concussions and making sure the player gets the appropriate medical care.”

HeadCheck monitors a player’s concussion history at levels such as major midget to professional and intend to have all teams and leagues on board so a player’s data can flow freely as they move on.

“We understand that not everybody takes a linear path to Junior A,” Brown said. “They’re going up and down, they’re being traded and maybe they’re playing rugby for a bit. Our vision is to make sure that data is following them and all of the medical staff on all those teams making informed decisions.”

A scenario Brown mentioned could be interesting as the season goes in is if a team doesn’t follow the CJHL’s concussion protocol. Brown said HeadCheck will be monitoring all players throughout the season and can determine if a player is listed as concussed in real time.

If HeadCheck finds that a player is in a game shortly after being listed as concussed or if a team isn’t providing a safe working environment, they can contact the CJHL’s board.

Bill Chow, the SJHL president, doesn’t see this will be an issue in his league.

“Player health and player safety is first and foremost the most important thing,” Chow said. “I think our coaches and trainers understand that, I really don’t see that happening because that’s what this program is about, player safety first and foremost.”

 

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow