Concussions have been a hot topic of discussion throughout the hockey world, and the WHL is taking steps to try and prevent the head injuries.
The league wrapped up its annual Board of Governors general meeting Wednesday in Calgary, Alberta, and the primary news to come from the meeting is a new set of steps designed to help prevent concussions.
Head injuries have been in the headlines at all levels of hockey, with recent research highlighting the potential long-term effects of blows to the head.
In a press release the WHL outlined its new seven-point plan to reduce blows to the head and concussions. Among the points is the adoption of a new Checking to the Head penalty for lateral and blind-side hits to the head. The league is also planning more-severe suspensions for repeat offenders, increasing education about concussions, and proposing the use of soft-cap elbow and shoulder pads.
“The WHL is fully committed to addressing head blows and concussions in a comprehensive manner,” WHL commissioner Ron Robison said in the release. “We believe the seven-point plan we have adopted will not only create a safer environment for our players, but will also enable us to better educate our players, coaches and officials as to what constitutes a legal hit.”
The Everett Silvertips had at least 10 players who missed games last season because of head injuries.
In other developments from the meeting, the 2011-12 schedule will be released on June 29, and Kelowna, Red Deer and Saskatoon were named the three finalists to host the 2013 Memorial Cup.
Walters summoned
Silvertips defenseman Nick Walters has been invited by Hockey Canada to attend its U-18 selection camp. Walters was one of 15 1994-born players from the WHL invited to the camp, which takes place July 30-Aug. 2 in Calgary, Alberta. Hockey Canada will select its team for the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, which takes place Aug. 8-13 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, from that camp. Everett defenseman Ryan Murray captain Canada to the gold medal at the Hlinka Tournament last year.
Walters had four assists and 52 penalty minutes in 48 games as a rookie last season.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
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