EDMONTON - A local brain injury expert has been studying concussions at the minor hockey level for the past two years. And what he's discovered may surprise you.
Over the past year of his research, Dr. Martin Mrazik has been following 800 minor hockey players, measuring and assessing their hits on the ice as they happened.
"What our research tells us is the number seem to peak in the minor level especially in the age 12 to 17 range," he says. "That's when our numbers seem to be the highest."
Dozens of players were outfitted with a sensor as part of the study. The sensor was attached to their helmets, and recorded the intensity and number of hits per game.
On average, each player was hit 14 times. The alarming statistic: about 1 in 5 players suffered a concussion during the season - that's several kids per team.
"There seems to be a population of kids that are very vulnerable," explains Mrazik, "about 10 percent that keep getting concussions and are suffering the long term effects."
When surveyed, most players said they know what to do if they suspected a concussion: stop playing and tell someone. But what's troubling, is that only less than half admit to actually doing that.
That's why brain injury experts stress parents and coaches get on board.
Coaches like Frank Esposito, with the Greater St. Albert Sports Academy, have seen the numbers of concussions go up over the years. So much so, that there is now a strict protocol.
"We need a doctor's clearance before they are allowed back on the ice, for sure," Esposito says.
"If you suspect a player to have suffered a concussion," Mrazik adds, "the risks are not worth it."
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
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