Prevention or Reduction of Concussions in Youth Ice Hockey: It's the Same Thing

Hockey is a physical sport, not a reckless sport.

The emphasis of zero tolerance youth ice hockey is about reducing hits that have the greatest risk for causing concussions and head trauma. I was told we can't prevent ice hockey injuries. I know that. So, I wanted to clarify a few things. We believe rule changes can reduce the number of head, neck and back hits and in turn prevent concussions and head trauma. Stronger rules are needed.

So be it prevention or reduction, it's not about never getting hurt, it about less children getting hurt.

If the rule changes we propose are adopted, it will reduce the number of contacts players make to the neck, head and back. They are strong and immediate penalties that remove players from the ice and hold coaches accountable. If you reduce the number of head contacts in a game, you prevented the opportunity for a concussion or head trauma to occur.

To switch it up, if you prevent a head, neck or back contact from happening through better penalties, you prevent a concussion or reduce the chances of a concussion occuring in a game.

Don't miss the point because of syntax. Prevent or reduce concussions and head trauma by preventing or reducing the number of head, neck and back contacts.

It's not that confusing.

Zero Tolerance for these types of hits to our children. We can't prevent injuries but we can reduce injuries.