Concussions
Because of the contact nature of the game and the speed with which it is played, the brain is vulnerable to injury. Trauma may occur through direct contact to the head or face or indirectly through a whiplash effect.
The following are tools to help recognize the signs of a concussion if you are not sure if a player has sustained a concussion.
If a concussion has occurred the player will not be permitted to return to play until the “Hockey Canada Return to Play” document has been filled out and submitted to the division director.
Once the player is allowed to return to play, SPMHA follows the Hockey Canada six step method for return to play for concussion in sport.
If any symptoms or signs return during this process, the player must stop all activity and be re evaluated by a physician.
STEP 1: No activity, only complete mental and physical rest. Proceed to step 2 only when all symptoms are gone. This includes avoiding both mental and physical stress.
STEP 2: Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling. Monitor for symptoms and signs. No resistance training or weight lifting.
STEP 3: Sport specific activities and training (example: Skating)
STEP 4: Drills without body contact. May add light resistance training and progress to heavier weights.
STEP 5: Begin drills with body contact.
STEP 6: Game play. (The earliest a concussed athlete should return to play is one week).
NOTE: Players should proceed through return to play steps only when they do not experience symptoms or signs and the physician has given clearance. Each step should be a minimum of one day. If symptoms or signs return, the player should return to step 1, and be re-evaluated by a physician.
Hockey Canada's Concussion Information
Major Injury Protocol
If a SPMH player has experienced a major injury it is the responsibility of the coaching staff to make sure that the player is not permitted to return to play until “Hockey Canada Return to Play” document has been filled out and signed by the player’s physician. If at any point the player exhibits further symptoms it is the responsibility of the coach to make sure that the player is re evaluated by a physician and that the “Hockey Canada Return to Play” document is filled out again and submitted to the division director.