But Pashby's safety lobbying continues. Concussion victims speak out in a new brochure by the Canadian Hockey Association being distributed to youth teams along with other information on playing safely. Midget player Sheri Maisonneuve, noting there is no bodychecking in women's hockey, said she was never taught how to take a hit, so was easily knocked down in front of the net during a Team Ontario tryout. After hitting her head on the ice, she couldn't see properly but didn't stop playing for fear of losing her chance to make the team. Former Toronto Maple Leaf player Nick Kypreos is also part of the drive to educate players and their coaches about concussions.
Concussions are a result of a blow to the head, face or jaw, and can also injure the neck.
Usually involving loss of consciousness, concussions also result in confusion and dizziness. A fight during an NHL exhibition game against the New York Rangers resulted in a concussion that ended Kypreos's career. You just want everyone to forget it ever happened . . Since I was seven years old, I've been told to 'shake it off, dust off the cobwebs, suck it up' and you'll be fine. The Canadian association warns coaches that repeat concussions can severely affect health, and that any loss of consciousness means a player should be removed from play.