Brad Marsh: Concussions: A Hockey Vet's Take

It's an interesting take. I think there's something to the computers point. It's not just the constant interaction, but the constant staring at a backlit screen. As for the processed foods, maybe. I hear a lot about this in pop science contexts, but I don't know that food was more carefully yielded and distributed a few short decades ago. It could be, though. I'm not a scientist, dietitian, or a historian.

One thing I don't buy, though, is the medication. I do realize that you qualified this with the realization that you're not a doctor. Personally, I think I have to trust the volumes of medical science and the years of professional training, study, and experience over the speculation of we, the uninitiated. No offense intended.

Again, interesting write up. I wish any of us had an answer on how to restore respect in the game.

Definitely an attempted cash grab. If it was a serious lawsuit players like karyia, primeau, Lafontaine, and lindros would be involved.

Great read (I love real-life stories from players) and some interesting thoughts.

I won't refute any of them, because l'm also not any of those things you're not - doctor, lawyer, etc.

My basic understanding of a concussion is a brain injury caused by movement of the brain inside the head. A helmet protects against blunt force damage (cracked skull) but I'm not really sure how much it can do for a concussion. The helmet doesn't stop the brain from rattling around in there. Heck, one can get a concussion without sustaining a direct blow to the head.

I think your comments about why it seems more prevalent now is due to awareness and better testing and monitoring of players. Also, I think players nowadays might be a little more willing to disclose the secondary symptoms, at least to internal team trainers/doctors, such as nausea, vision issues, etc., because there is more awareness now than back in the olden days.

What's the answer? I wish I knew. I don't think you can ever fully eliminate them and I'm not aware of any head equipment that can do a better job than the current helmet, but maybe putting the red line back would help (but at the expense of slowing the game down a bit, which I know they're loathe to do).

Anyway, thanks for your blogs. They're always a good read.

One thing I don't buy, though, is the medication. I do realize that you qualified this with the realization that you're not a doctor. Personally, I think I have to trust the volumes of medical science and the years of professional training, study, and experience over the speculation of we, the uninitiated.
- BulliesPhan87

Industrialized medicine has only been around for the past century or so, with most pharmaceuticals we know today developed over the past 50-60 years. Medical science and pharmaceutical science is still evolving... they're still finding new side-effects from long-term use for drugs that have been on the market for decades, and harmful drugs are getting taken off the market regularly as well.

Meanwhile, we're conditioned to reach for a "cure" no matter how insignificant the malady, despite not having a complete picture of these products we're ingesting.

It's pretty disconcerting.

I think you might be asking the wrong question, or at least jumping ahead of the game a bit.

Perhaps, before you ask "Why are there so many concussions in today's game?" you need to ask, "Are there more concussions in today's game?" There's certainly a thought that the frequency of concussions have changed much but under reporting or more publicity have altered the perception of the number of concussions.

Brad, were there times when a player "got his bell rung" that wasn't diagnosed as a concussion? Not having been an NHL player I have no ground to stand on but I would imagine that there was. Was that more frequent in your playing days than now? Again, I would imagine that as well.

Are teams/the league more cautious regarding concussions and more vocal about preventing them? Yeah, I don't think you'll see someone rushed into games they're not ready for. (see Lindros v Crosby).

I'm not convinced that there are more concussions than there used to be, I just think that the stigma of having one is gone and that the public at large (as well as teams and the league) know more about them and are acknowledging them publicaly now.

Brad Marsh: Concussions: A Hockey Vet's Take
- Brad Marsh

Thanks again Brad for your insight, very good read.
I remember the Bruins game and still ahve the VCR tape of the game. Back then I taped most game because I worked second shift security and when I got home I remember my brother asking me if I heard anything on the game ( I always avoided the radio and the local gas station that used to post the scores after the games on my ride home ). I told him "No" and he said " You won't believe it, historical. " He had a strange sense of humor at that time. So when the hit happened that's the first thing that came to my mind, the worst had happened. Thankfully I continued to watch the game trying to see some other historical occurance, when the goal was scored I screamed ( not only joy but relief ) and woke the rest of the house at 3am, Thank God!

Industrialized medicine has only been around for the past century or so, with most pharmaceuticals we know today developed over the past 50-60 years. Medical science and pharmaceutical science is still evolving... they're still finding new side-effects from long-term use for drugs that have been on the market for decades, and harmful drugs are getting taken off the market regularly as well.

Meanwhile, we're conditioned to reach for a "cure" no matter how insignificant the malady, despite not having a complete picture of these products we're ingesting.

It's pretty disconcerting.
- Tomahawk

I don't completely disagree here, but I still put my trust in the professionals on this one. It may not be a perfect industry, but I don't think they're just out there trying to make a buck regardless of any consequences and without any control whatsoever.

Marshie, I agree that the change in diet, brain activity and medications are all altering children (and adults who've grown up with them) but there is another factor. When I grew up in the 70s and 80s, there were darn few "contact sports" leagues for kids. Football was mostly touch and flag, ice hockey was for northern states and Canada, Lacrosse was a rarity and soccer was just taking hold. As organized, contact sports replaced "sandlot" and "pickup" games, the sheer number of kids subjected to collisions and head injuries increased exponentially. Naturally as they progress to college, semi and pro levels the number of head contacts will grow as well. By the time they reach the pros, they've already had their "bell rung" half a dozen times.

There is also a "win at all cost" mentality instilled at very young ages now. It's an anti-"everyone is a winner" movement. With more of a talent pool to choose from, you have to be that much better than everyone else. In your day Marshie, you weren't competing with kids from Canada + all 50 States + all of Europe and Russia. To be better than all of those players you have to hit harder, skate faster, win more, work out 365 days a year and I'm sure, find a way to take PEDs you can get away with... Like the old downing a handful of Sudafed before a game when your sinuses are just fine... Like the food and meds and electronics, winning at any price is changing our culture as well.

I'm often saying that in the good old days that everybody loves to harken back to, guys weren't out to do major harm to one another as recklessly as today. Maybe more chippy back then, more slashes and angry fights and the like, but way less in the way of dangerous hits. Reckless hits.

I do believe it started to get out of control in the 90's due to the glorification and outright worship of a certain player or two who popularized high, devastating, brain-rattling open-ice hits to opponents.

1st game I ever went to -- Flyers and Habs at the forum, 86-87. Remember thinking look at that idiot Marsh skating around without a helmet and his stupid black curly hair, god I hate that guy. Sorry.

A young nobody named Mellanby fought someone that game. What a tough sob he turned into.

1st game I ever went to -- Flyers and Habs at the forum, 86-87. Remember thinking look at that idiot Marsh skating around without a helmet and his stupid black curly hair, god I hate that guy. Sorry.

A young nobody named Mellanby fought someone that game. What a tough sob he turned into.
- gforce

no rick middleton, that's for sure.

edit: show some respect.

no rick middleton, that's for sure.

edit: show some respect.
- wilsonecho91

no disrespect. an anecdote from a youthful hockey fan's anti-flyer perspective. there's laughter and a sorry there?