Jeff Paul: A Look at Brain Injuries Following a Dangerous Hit to Ryan Carpenter

Jeff,

Excellent blob.

I love what Carcillo is doing and I and appreciate that he is not only speaking up but, also in this case where he thought the player was allowed back on the ice in the same game, calling out the team and the league.

Jeff: Excellent article. I was watching that game in Tampa. When I first saw your article, I expected to read how the hit was cheap and Paquette should be suspended. My assumption was based on my perceptions of the NHL trying to remove high speed collisions and fighting as well as players dropping the gloves even on clean hits. However, I was pleasantly surprised by your assessment because you are spot on. The hit was a clean one that caught Carpenter in a dangerous position. I think the only reason Paquette did not get jumped by any Vegas players was his immediate stopping and calling for help. He also tried catching him when Carpenter insisted on skating on his own and almost fell. It was a shame Carpenter got hurt especially since being a Florida born player he probably had a lot of friends and family in the stands worrying about his well being. Great article ... keep up the good work.

I saw the hit as well, it was clean, but the results were rough to watch. That being said, stop trying to make this subject into another warning of CTE unless you have read the actual research. Current Science publications on the subject have not linked CTE to head injuries or playing physical sports. They actually don’t know what causes it, it’s just a theory. They also don’t know what the affects of CTE are. CTE is found only after death and has been found in all age groups including infants. It’s also been found in people with no history of head trauma or a history of being physical. CTE has been found in people that had no emotional, psychological, or physical problems reported. Furthermore, CTE has not been connected to suicide. Several of the players mentioned had drug addiction and psychological problems. You can’t just link that to they played hockey or fought a lot. I agree that head injuries are a serious matter and players and organizations should treat them as such, but there is only so much that can be done. Also, in the past they were never treated properly. The science and treatments have changed and continue to improve. Read the players tribune article by Bryce Salvador. A complete evaluation and treatment of his head injury that was more comprehensive. This article was well written, but unfortunately it perpetuates an uneducated narrative currently in journalism. CTE has not been connected to suicide and it did not cause Aaron Hernandez to kill anyone. This has become a narrative of the wealthy corrupt powerful owners against the players. The recent lawsuit brought by the NHL players was settled for next to nothing because the players simply could not show what they were accusing the NHL of doing.