So I finally watched Concussion and I started thinking about all of the nfl players who have retired at early ages over concerns of the diseases and symptoms that can manifest from repeated concussions, and thought about Franzen for the first time in a while.
And while the science is still somewhat lacking on the full spectrum of long term effects, I feel we know enough to be able to try to talk about it.
I know the nhl, and subsequently the leages below it at all levels have tried to make a concerted effort to spot concussions when they happen, and react accordingly so, but the real severity is never known at first glance.
I started this thread because I played hockey for many years, and I was diagnosed with "mild" concussions at least 10 times before I quite playing. I started in a local house league and went on to play in aa, then aaa, and had scholarship offers to multiple division 1 high schools. I ended up playing for my local high schools start up team when I was in 7th grade, and stopped playing after my sophomore year when I broke my jaw at summer training camp that Red Berenson hosted.
I don't remember not getting a splitting headache from the lights when I'd walk onto the ice after I left peewee aa. Everytime I put my helmet on, my temples would throb, and when I stepped on the ice for games I just ignored it.
But when I only have memories from the concussion I got when I broke my jaw from two days after it happened. The trainers only stopped me when I couldn't snap the cage on my helmet, and every now and then I read an article about post concussion sydrome, I get slightly worried about cte/als/ms type problems appearing later in life. I haven't plaid hockey since 2005, and I still don't feel "right" all the time.
So former playersdoctors/trainers/coaches/hockey aficionados whats your opinion on how the severity of head injuries, how far reaching do you think they are, and how do you think the nhl could implement a more effective system for prevention, dignosis, an treatment?
I'd also love to hear your personal experiences.