HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Trust your trainer?

"CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that at an individual, mid-western, top 50 medical school, current medical trainees may not be adequately educated to identify and manage concussion. Future research is warranted to determine the optimal guidelines to educate future physicians as it pertains to concussion diagnosis, management, prognosis, and return to play guidelines."

Read more: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26758683/

NCAA Official Says Parents Have Called Him about Allowing Son or Daughter to Compete after Concussion

When Scott Bearby, General Counsel for the NCAA, was asked by yours truly at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio last week about who holds the athletic trainers and medical staff accountible about return-to-play decisions for student athletes, it opened the door to an interesting observation about the culture of concussions.Bearby

Part of Bearby’s answer follows:

The problem is “you may have parents haranguing that doctor to allow their son or daughter to compete. Its a very difficult situation that our medical personnel and trainers have to deal with. I mean I get calls from parents complaining about their decision not to let their son or daughter compete.”
http://concussionpolicyandthelaw.com/20 ... oncussion/

Child Athletes

"Despite the prevalence of brain injury from kindergarten to high school, relatively little research on the long-term health consequences of concussion has been conducted on child athletes, compared with those in college and in the pros. Scientists have an incomplete understanding of what happens when a child’s brain slams up against the inside of the skull during a blow to the head and how this affects neurological development. As participation in sports continues to grow (1.5 million youngsters now play on football teams in the U.S.), more head injuries are inevitable, making pediatric concussions an emerging public health crisis.

Doctors and public health experts are concerned about the effect of repeat concussions that occur before the brain has had a chance to heal from a prior impact. More research on how they affect younger brains is urgently needed. In addition, coaches, parents and school officials need to pay closer attention to what is already known about the hazards of concussions and how best to prevent permanent damage. (Visit www.cdc.gov/concussion for comprehensive information, including videos, on the topic.)

Most people assume, for instance, that loss of consciousness is the defining feature of all concussions. Yet “seeing stars,” headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, irritability, and an inability to remember events before or after the injury are the most common symptoms. Because people don’t recognize these warning signs, however, youngsters may continue to play when they should not.

Similarly, because the most obvious symptoms usually disappear within a few minutes to hours, children often return to normal activities too quickly, which overtaxes their injured brain. Depending on age and symptoms, children should not take part in intense physical activity for several weeks to months after a concussion. Even the added neural exertion from mental activities like reading and video games can interfere with the cerebrum’s ability to heal—particularly in the first 24 hours after injury.

Some efforts to protect young brains may actually backfire. In football, hockey and other contact sports, protective headgear seems to have increased the risk of concussion by providing a false sense of security that encourages athletes to hit harder with their head. Helmets do, however, protect against skull fracture."


Read more: http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... rd-knocks/

“Canadian head coach Melody Davidson says trying to play through a concussion or returning to play too soon after suffering one isn't worth it for any of her players.

"I feel like our athletes, they're smart ladies and they know hockey is just one part of their life and they want a full life all of their lives," she said.”

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/2 ... -team.html

January is Winter Sports TBI Awareness Month
http://newswire.net/newsroom/pr/0009155 ... month.html

Athlete’s comments to Athletic Trainers:

“Athlete: Saying "concussion" in front of the AT is like saying "bomb" in an airport. Me: You are correct.”
Krystine in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

“Doing a concussion test on a wrestler. Orientation questions. Me: "About what time is it?" Ath: "Christmas time!!!!!"
Audrey Ebert, Tacoma, Washington

“Concussed Male Rugby Athlete: "I was nauseous when I woke up. Can we use ultrasound because I think I have morning sickness?"
Mickey Meyer, Belleville, Louisiana

"I can't physically think when I play"
Jamie Adams

Me:"How long has it (injury) been bothering you?" Athlete: "Since I hurt it." Me: (blank stare of disbelief)
Mike Pribyl, Omaha, Iowa

“Me: why are you in here? Ath: to relive the memories..... never mind it smells like concussions in here, bye!”
Energizer_Teegs

“While en route to baseline testing: So, concussions can damage your brain?"
SuperATC1

“Wait, so for the ImPact test, you're going to hit us in the head and see if we get a concussion?”
SuperATC1

“Ah I hit the restart bottom in the computer now what?" While IMPACT testing
Colleen

"My helmet fits fine until I put it on."
Lindy_ATC

"But Steph Curry went back in after he hit his head, why can't I?"
JPNussATC

"The doctor was horrible... He was like an angry little elf with me. His first recommendation was for me to quit. Quit!?!? Not an option."
Athletic Trainer

“How does my eye look, is it blurry? Because it's blurry to me!”
Amy Marie Stefaniuk, Mississauga, Ontario

"Can you check and see if I have a concussion? I think I felt my brain jostle inside my head."
Kevin Brown, Louisville, Kentucky

“'I didn't come here to play SCHOOL' lol”
Athletic Trainer

"It's like whack-a-mole... Get rid of the pain in one spot and it pops up in another!"
Krysten Binfet ‏@Krysten_ATC

"My doctor says that if I do not feel better he will do a brain X-ray" "Yoouuuuu mean a CT Scan?" "No a brain X-ray" SMDH @************
Sebastian Plante ‏

"Is it possible I developed Downs Syndrome over break?"
Johnny G ‏

“I can't wait for some of these athletes to see what the real world is like. All they do now is complain about stuff that people do for them.”
Anonymous ATC

"I know you're checking on me, but if I ignore you, I get to keep playing."
Annika Lisa, Gustavus Alum in Minnesota

"Yeah, you know her. She's not the brightest star in the fish."
Revae, Pasedena, Texas

“I figured out the problem: I just shouldn't play when I feel like I'm going to die.”
Aaron Gill

"I am not injured but also not not injured"
Stephen Lobsinger
Guelph, Ontario

"I think I may have had a concussion and didn't know it because I am just stupid."
Matthew Willett, Indiana USA

The Levels of Pain:
0: Hi. I am not experiencing any pain at all. I don’t know why I’m even here.
1: I am completely unsure whether I am experiencing pain or itching or maybe I just have a bad taste in my mouth.
2. I probably just need a Band Aid.
3. This is distressing. I don’t want this to be happening to me at all.
4. My pain is not f****** around.
5. Why is this happening to me?
6. Ow. Okay my pain is super legit now.
7. I see Jesus coming for me and I’m scared.
8. I am experiencing a disturbing amount of pain. I might actually be dying. Please help.
9. I am almost definitely dying.
10. I am being mauled by a bear.
11. Blood is going to explode out of my face at any moment.
Bryson North, Ohio

"Sure I got knocked out. But it was like a minor knocked out. Like level one."
Audrey Ebert, Tacoma, Washington

“Most common lie told by an athlete: It doesn't hurt”
NCAA Student Athlete Problems


Read more: https://mobile.twitter.com/SuperATC1

Tony Lucia, son of Gopher Coach Don Lucia

"When Gophers coach Don Lucia held a film session with his players Tuesday, he didn't begin by illustrating what he wanted them to do. He started by showing them what to avoid: making dangerous, open-ice hits like the one that felled forward Tommy Novak last Saturday.

Wisconsin defenseman and team captain Eddie Wittchow was given a major penalty and a three-game suspension for charging at Novak and driving his shoulder into the forward's head, knocking him out cold in the third period of a 9-2 Gophers victory.

Lucia would like to see such hits eradicated. With players getting larger, stronger and faster — and with increased awareness of the lingering effects of brain injuries — he said the time has come to make player safety a top priority.

It's not the first time Lucia has expressed concern about reckless hits. His oldest son Tony's pro hockey career was ended by concussions, Lucia said, and he recalled a crushing open-ice check that broke defenseman Nick Leddy's jaw in 2009.

As he waits to see whether Novak will be able to play in this weekend's North Star College Cup, Lucia reiterated his stance that such hits are bad for the sport.

"The hit we saw on Novak is a hit that needs to be taken out of the game," said Lucia, who used video of the incident to remind his players to be prudent. "From a player-safety standpoint, some of these hits have to be looked at. I don't care if it's a legal hit. Should that hit take place?

"At some point, the mind-set has to change. We have to [proceed] on the side of player safety. If a wide receiver is laying out for that pass, you can't go and destroy him anymore. That needs to be taught in hockey as well. When a guy is in a vulnerable position, I'm not sure it's good for our game to make that hit."

Novak was skating through the neutral zone when the 6-4, 220-pound Wittchow blindsided him, drawing a five-minute major penalty and game disqualification for contact to the head. In the first period, Novak was smashed into the glass by Badgers forward Aidan Cavallini — a hit that drew a major penalty for checking from behind, a game misconduct and a one-game suspension.

Lucia said Novak is undergoing concussion protocol to gauge whether he is healthy enough to play Saturday against Bemidji State in the opener of the North Star College Cup at Xcel Energy Center. Novak skated briefly by himself Tuesday; Lucia said he seemed to be fine, but Novak's status might not be decided until Friday. He has two goals and 14 assists this season.

Two decades ago, Lucia said, Wittchow's hit would have been acceptable, but times are different now. Players should be taught the purpose of hitting is to separate an opponent from the puck, he said — not to inflict injury or rouse the crowd — and the responsibility should lie with players to avoid initiating reckless or dangerous contact.

Lucia said his own view has changed in part because of his son's experience. If hockey does not take player safety seriously, he added, worried parents may steer their young children toward other sports.

"There's a difference between hitting and really taking somebody out," Lucia said. "I think we have an obligation [to protect players]. If you're a parent sitting in the stands, who wants to see their son get hit like that?

"You've got to be respectful of the game. You've got to be respectful of your opponent.''

Gophers coach Don Lucia stresses safety after opponent suspended for reckless hit

Read more: http://m.startribune.com/gophers-coach- ... 366736411/

http://collegesports.blog.statesman.com ... d-players/


Statesman U
Former A&M athletic trainer says coaches forced him to clear “good” players

HOUSTON, TX- OCTOBER 19: Mike Evans #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies and head coach Kevin Sumlin of the Texas A&M Aggies run on the field before playing against the Auburn Tigers on October 19, 2013 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Auburn Tigers won 45 to 41.(Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

Former Texas A&M athletic trainer Karl Kapchinski was fired during the 2013 football season. He told HBO Sports that Aggie coaches forced him to clear injured players. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)



Karl Kapchinski, a long-time athletic trainer for Texas A&M who was fired two years ago, says coaches made him clear injured athletes before they were fully healed.

Kapchinski is a part of a segment featured in the season premiere tonight of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

In an interview with Jon Frankel, Kapchinski said A&M coaches “put pressure on you to get good players back.”

Kapchinski is a 1979 graduate of A&M. He worked at the university for 31 years. He was fired, abruptly on Nov. 1. 2013. That was the day before A&M played Texas-El Paso at Kyle Field.

Kapchinski filed a lawsuit against A&M a year ago, claiming athletic director Eric Hyman terminated him because of his age. Kapchinski was 56 when he was fired. Hyman resigned from A&M earlier this month.

Kapchinski was named Division 1 College Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2005 by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and was inducted into the Southwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 2014.

Here’s a transcript provided by HBO of Kapchinski’s interview.

JON FRANKEL: “Did you ever feel pressured to return a player to the field before you thought he was ready,”
KARL KAPCHINSKI: “I would say yes.”

KARL KAPCHINSKI: “While we’re considered part of the medical staff in a lotta cases, the head coach just sees you basically, in some cases, being subservient to his situation.”
JON FRANKEL: “Did you ever have a coach say to you, ‘I need this kid back?’”
KARL KAPCHINSKI: “Yes. They would always, you know, tend to put pressure on you to get good players back.”
JON FRANKEL: “Is there anybody you put back into a game and you said, ‘Mm, I wish I hadn’t done that?’”
KARL KAPCHINSKI: “Yes.”
JON FRANKEL: “Because it went against your better judgment, or because it resulted in the player limpin’ off the field two plays later?”
KARL KAPCHINSKI: “Because it resulted in the player having a subsequent injury.”
JON FRANKEL: “If you said to a coach, ‘Coach, I know we said it was gonna be four weeks, but we need an extra week.’ What would the coach say to you?”
KARL KAPCHINSKI: “You would be challenged on your character, your credentials. You know, maybe you were the wrong guy for the job.”

KARL KAPCHINSKI: “There’s been a lotta great quality athletic trainers that have subsequently lost their jobs because they stood up for the players or were doing the right thing.”

"It was one of those rare nights when my wife, Shelly, and I were unable to attend our son Anthony's hockey game.

I, of course, had an Erie Otters game to cover that winter night three years ago. Shelly was home with our youngest son Zachary, who was only 2 years old at the time. For the previous six years, we made sure one of us was at the rink with Anthony, just in case.

Still, it was only one game. What could possibly go wrong?

The answer I, deep down inside, dreaded to hear came on the other end of a telephone call from my frantic wife, who was racing to Ice Center of Erie with Zach in tow because Anthony, a strong, fleet-footed high school hockey player, laid motionless on the ice.

Anthony suffered a bruised spinal cord and a case of whiplash, but it could have been worse. It could have been much worse.

To this day, I still think of him when hearing of hockey players experiencing potentially life-altering incidents on the ice -- or worse, having their lives changed forever -- while playing the game they love. Denna Laing had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity turn into an unfortunate tragedy on New Year's Eve, when she suffered what has been called a significant spinal injury from crashing head-first into the boards after stepping on a stick during the inaugural Outdoor Women's Classic at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

It brought back chilling memories for me that day -- that call from Shelly, the scary thoughts that raced through my mind while feverishly getting my work done to get to the hospital, the dose of reality when I first saw Anthony lying in that hospital bed.

Anthony slammed head-first into the boards too, after being checked hard while skating up ice. I heard that same story many times over the next few days. Thankfully, it was a story with a happy ending for us. The story continues to unfold for Laing and her family.

"It's not something you really prepare for," said Hunter Cunningham, 21, who suffered a seizure after an open-ice check sent him sailing head-first into the boards during a high school game March 18, 2011. "It really affects the people around you more than yourself. I recovered fine. I was more shocked than anything. I think my Mom and Dad were more affected by it than I was."

Cunningham returned to the ice the following fall for his senior season with Fairview. Anthony wasn't as fortunate.

He was physically able to play a few weeks later, and we reluctantly allowed him to finish his junior season at Fairview, so he could end his competitive hockey career on his terms. But that scary experience, coupled with his long history of sports injuries, concerned Shelly and me much more than it bothered him. So he didn't play hockey as a senior, because Shelly and I weren't prepared to risk a potential repeat of that unforgettable night, not with his adult life filled with potential ahead of him.

Anthony still plays recreational hockey these days, and I don't cringe every time he steps on the ice anymore.

But it's difficult not to recall that night when facing a sobering reminder of what can happen on the ice.

A few days after Laing's injury, I witnessed a teammate on my recreational league team knock himself out after falling head-first into the boards during a recent game. He's fine now, just like my son and Hunter.

But it could have been worse. Their lives could have been changed forever."

Victor Fernandes: Laing injury hits close to home for hockey family
Read more: http://www.goerie.com/article/20160121/ ... key-family

Concussion Sends Player to Hospital

"Police and emergency crews responded around 11:40 am. to the Sports Center on 121 Donald Lynch Boulevard to reports of an injury.

A hockey player went down on the ice while playing, and was vomiting. EMS responded to evaluate for a possible concussion, and transported the player to Marlborough Hospital."
Hockey Injury Sends 1 to Hospital
Read more: http://patch.com/massachusetts/marlboro ... hospital-0

How Concussion Management and Awareness Training Saves Lives

"Nearly 250,000 traumatic brain injuries or concussions are reported annually in kids ages 10 to 19 for sports- and recreation–related injuries.

Strong youth sports-related concussion safety laws are imperative for all communities.

With the release of the movie "Concussion," there's been more attention on the impact of sports-related brain injuries and concussions on professional athletes. It has been suggested that while they may have enjoyed lucrative compensation packages or hall-of-fame careers, some of these athletes paid a high price with irreversible damage to their health. I hope this focus not only brings more light to the challenges facing elite athletes, but also helps student-athletes, whose brains are still developing and therefore more vulnerable to the serious ramifications of concussions.

Children and adolescents are at an increased risk for challenges from repeat concussions, including the need for longer recovery times, increased severity and, in some cases, severe physical complications or death. Today, research also suggests that the long-term effects of repeat concussions may cause epilepsy, cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits, depression, suicide, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.

To minimize the occurrence of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries, or mTBIs, during sports, injury prevention strategies should be in place, including overall strength and conditioning, strengthening neck muscles, skill drills and using protective equipment. To lessen the impact of concussions and mTBIs, qualified health care professionals – certified athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in New York State – should be guiding concussion management: knowing the symptoms, responding appropriately and allowing subsequent participation only after the completion of return-to-play protocols."
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/pa ... aves-lives

"My greatest concern is the millions of kids being damaged for absolutely no compensation."
Dr. Johnny Benjamin
https://mobile.twitter.com/DrJCBenjamin ... 4644851712

Telluride Goalie
"Dethloff followed on a rebound to beat the Telluride goalie but a collision ensued and Telluride’s goalie had to skate off the ice. With no apparent backup plan in place, Telluride elected to skate six players rather than put someone in net."

Blades Cruise to a Couple of Wins over Telluride
Read more: http://crestedbuttenews.com/2016/01/bla ... telluride/


Izzie Dethloff and Kendl Santelli

"It was supposed to be a walk last weekend in Gunnison. The WEHA Blades U19 girls hockey team was sitting near the top of the league standings with a record of 8-0 and were set to host the New Mexico Mustangs who were mired in the cellar of the league standings with a record of 0-7-1.

But a trip to San Jose, Calif. the weekend before tweaked the Blades and while the trip was successful, it did have its downside, as they lost both Izzie Dethloff and Kendl Santelli to injuries.

As a result, the Blades were far from full strength for the games against New Mexico, but they have plenty of younger talent to call into action when needed.

“We usually have two subs on the bench to rotate into our lines and I figured they would be able to handle it,” says coach Tony Lambert. “But, with just two lines it is tough to maintain high caliber hockey and when people are injured, you have some players that end up playing in different positions.”

Blades Struggle Over Weekend
Read more: http://crestedbuttenews.com/2016/01/bla ... r-weekend/

Taylor Holze
"My battle with depression led to academic ineligibility. I was subsequently labelled a "selfish teammate" by coaches and players, and I was ostracized by roommates who were on the other side of the wall tweeting #BellLetsTalk. I wasn't asked to talk.

Please remember that this campaign is a call to real action and real conversation. Please do not let your support end at your tweet."

https://mobile.twitter.com/taytwofour

Holy Angels

“We’re moving in the right direction,” Stars head coach Lenny Vannelli said. “Right now I’m just worried about health.”

Holy Angels lost three defenseman and a forward to injury during its loss to Dodge County."
Holy Angels Girls Hockey Looks to Fight Through Injuries
Read more: http://current.mnsun.com/2015/12/09/hol ... -injuries/


McKenzie McHatton
"Defensively, captains Paytan Malbouef (junior) and Cassidy Driscoll (sophomore) provided strong leadership, while freshmanMcKenzie McHatton played great before suffering an injury that cut her season short."

Spartans Find Home On The Ice
Read more: http://m.telegram.com/article/20150217/ ... /302179577


Sydney Poulin

"The Watertown High girls ice hockey team pulled off its first win of the season on Saturday with a 5-4 victory over Wilmington at the Ryan Arena.

The Raiders, who were shutout victims through their first five games, found their offense against the Wildcats, resulting in the team's first two points of the season.

In particular, it was junior left winger Aurora Fidler who ignited the offense, scoring a natural hat trick in the middle stanza to put her team up 4-0 after freshman right winger Catherine Connors got the team's first goal of the year with a first period tally.

Fidler was forced to depart the game due to a penalty, and the ice began to tilt in Wilminton's favor. A late second period goal made it a 4-1 game before two more Wildcat tallies in the third period suddenly made it a one-goal contest.

In the third, however, another Raider freshman came up big when center Olivia Lampasona scored a key insurance tally to put the locals up a pair. Minutes later, Wilmington once again made it a one-goal game, but eventually their rally fell short.

"I give our girls a lot of credit for hanging on the way they did," Watertown coach Steve Russo said. "Not only did we lose Aurora, but our best defenseman (Sydney Poulin) was out due to injury. We only had eight players, but they stuck it out."

Raiders Break the Ice in Girls Hockey
Read more: http://watertown.wickedlocal.com/articl ... /160118317

Hockey Players at even greater risk:

"Among adolescents, data shows that athletes are an especially vulnerable subgroup. According to a 2013 University of Michigan study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, by the time high school athletes become seniors, about 11 percent will have used a narcotic pain reliever for nonmedical purposes.

“People that are competitive athletes are at higher risk for substance abuse,” said Duggan, who now offers treatment and intervention services to patients across Greater Boston through the organization Wicked Sober. “They like contact. They like to take risk. Their frontal lobe isn’t really developed, so they take more risks.”

The risk is even higher for athletes playing high-contact sports, like football and hockey, which Michigan researcher Philip Todd Veliz said tend to socialize youth to view pain, violence and risk as normal. Athletes in contact sports, Veliz said, learn to view their body as an instrument that can be easily gambled with, even if it would involve permanent damage."
http://m.ipswich.wickedlocal.com/news/2 ... n-athletes

Athletic Trainers Pressured to Prematurely Return Athletes to Play Following a Concussion:
Athletes Feel Pressure From Coach, Parents, Teammates to Under Report Symptoms

“The attention to both professional and amateur athlete safety has grown rapidly in the past few years.
Several retired football players have stated their regret over playing. The NFL settled in court over a law suit that they were hiding information about the dangers of concussions to players, although appeals are ongoing. Sports-related concussions account for 58% of all emergency department visits for children between 8 and 13 years old, according a report from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Enter Christine Baugh, a Harvard University student pursuing a doctorate in health policy with a concentration in ethics. Named one of FORBES’ 30 Under 30 in sports, Christine is looking to apply her research to better the health and quality of life for athletes, being a former collegiate athlete herself.

...I have been fortunate to work with a number of talented colleagues on research related to many different aspects of concussion and repetitive brain injury. This includes research while I was at the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center examining the potential later-life effects of repetitive brain trauma, projects with my colleague Dr. Emily Kroshus (now at the University of Washington) examining factors influencing athletes’ willingness to report concussion, examinations of concussion management plans and practices at NCAA member colleges, and evaluation of state-based concussion legislation, among others.

In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in this area of research. In short, what we know today is that there is no positive health outcome associated with brain injuries, such as concussions. The details of how many injuries over what period of time and at what ages lead to what health consequences acutely or in the long-term is, for the most part, unclear. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that it is not only concussions, but also repetitive sub-concussive blows that may lead to changes in the brain. As often happens in science, more research also leads to more questions.

...There is a lot of interesting research occurring in this area right now. For example, research that Dr. Emily Kroshus (University of Washington) and I have collaborated on has shown that the majority of athletic trainers in college sports medicine groups feel pressured to prematurely return athletes to play following a concussion. Similarly, athletes who feel pressure to return to play following a concussion from multiple stakeholders in the athletic environment (e.g., coach, parent, teammates) are more likely to under-report their concussion symptoms.”

Meet The Under 30 Harvard Ph.D. Student Who Wants To Change The Sports Medicine Industry
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielklein ... 06de9c13da

Regret Playing Stories referred to above
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/stee ... 1601190177

Study: Sports-related Concussions Account for 58% of All Emergency Department Visits for Children Netween 8 and 13 Years Old
Read more: http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files ... tement.pdf

Emmie Thompson

"Maddie and Emmie Thompson are both juniors at Steamboat Springs High School, having moved to the Yampa Valley with their family two-and-a-half years ago from a Chicago suburb. They have two younger brothers — eighth-grader, Jack, and fifth-grader, Charlie — who also have a background playing hockey.

Having skied in the area throughout the years, the Thompsons moved to Steamboat prior to the girls’ freshman year of high school. That winter, the twins stepped away from years of hockey to try snowboarding with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

“We took a break one year, just to kind of ski and get the hang of Steamboat,” Emmie said. “In Chicago, it was a big commitment. I just kind of needed a break from it, which I liked, but I did miss it, too. So that’s why we joined, and it’s been a fun two years.”

While Jack and Charlie have stuck with skiing and snowboarding, the twins decided one year off from hockey was enough. Last winter, they joined the U19 club team in Steamboat, only to have Emmie suffer a concussion and miss the latter half of the season. It was the first time the girls hadn’t played alongside one another on the ice.

“When Emmie was out with her concussion, it was harder to score. I had a tougher time, just because we are so used to playing together,” Maddie said. “I think we just know where we are going to be. Sometimes, I won’t even be looking, and I’ll just shoot it off, and she’ll be right there to get the pass.”
Twin Telepathy
Read more: http://m.steamboattoday.com/news/2016/j ... tes=mobile

Alyssa Lloyd

"Kailee Purnell got Sooke on the board first but they couldn’t find the net again until late in the game.

With just five minutes remaining, the Thunderbirds found themselves down 2-1 and in penalty trouble. That’s when Alyssa Lloyd scored two short-handed goals to pull out the victory. Revenge was sweet, as one month earlier Lloyd had sustained a concussion in a penalty filled loss against that same Cowichan team.

Later in the day, the girls were back on the ice for their third game of the day.

Co-Captain Hailey Dimock announced her return from a two game suspension, as she “lit it up” with three goals and six points in another come-from-behind win against Campbell River."


Midget Girls Win Tournament Gold
Read more: http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/sports/3 ... obile=true

Kat Ellis
“The Burlington High girls hockey team won its 10th game in a row Wednesday night, securing both a tournament berth and its first-ever Middlesex League Freedom Division title with a 5-4 victory over a pesky Melrose team.
Sophomore Kat Nikolopolous buried a feed from freshman Meghan McDonald with 6:32 left in the game for the eventual game winner.

“It looked like Kat called for the puck and Meghan made a great pass to her,” said Burlington head coach Marty Conley. “Kat made a quick release and that is a clutch goal from a clutch goal scorer and someone who has been around the program and knows what it takes to win hockey games.”

Kat Ellis, returning from a concussion, gave Burlington a 4-3 lead early in the third period before Melrose tied the game with 8:37 left.

Freshman phenom Rylee Glennon scored the Red Devils’ first three goals and senior captain Cassidy Smith made key saves throughout the third period to secure the victory and the title.

“It is an unbelievable feeling and some of us seniors have been here for five years,” said Smith. “We have got progressively better over the years and we have accomplished a lot. The people who came before us started this and we always wanted a league title. We got close to this with each year but to finally get it feels awesome.”

Those who came before that Smith mentioned include current assistant coach Chrissy Conceison, who played on a Burlington team that struggled through a 2-16 season.

“I was telling the girls before the third period that our team is really good,” said Conceison. “From door to door along that bench we are collectively, a good team. I think coming from seeing the program in its worst state to now winning a league title is amazing. I think coaching a successful team means more than playing and being successful. As a coach you can see how exciting it is and the impact it makes every day.”


Burlington High Girls Hockey Wins First-ever Middlesex League title
Read more: http://burlington.wickedlocal.com/artic ... /160207954

One thing’s certain about Minnesotans — we love our sports. But whether it’s football, hockey, or the many other sports we play and love, parents, coaches, and young athletes must be equipped with the facts and informed of the risks when making safety decisions,” Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan bill will protect our athletes and help make sure they can continue to compete on and off the field safely.”

http://politickernj.com/2016/02/pascrel ... ncussions/

Emma Capener
"Senior Karlee D’Asto was finally back on a two month hiatus, while sophomore Emma Capener was back from a concussion injury. The leadership alone from the two was enough to boost the rest of the team on senior night.

“I’m very proud of them,” Thunder coach Rick Capener said. “Emma is back off of her concussion. Her lungs aren’t there but just the stuff she created was big. It was some momentum for her line to get her back and say here’s our rhythm and here’s what we need to do.”

Thunder Claim Third Win of Season
Read more: http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepu ... b6efa.html

Very moving..."A mother’s love never dies."
http://m.providencejournal.com/article/ ... /160139905

New York Times article on Amanda Kessel's return

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/sport ... .html?_r=1

Alyssa Lloyd

"Kailee Purnell got Sooke on the board first but they couldn’t find the net again until late in the game.

With just five minutes remaining, the Thunderbirds found themselves down 2-1 and in penalty trouble. That’s when Alyssa Lloyd scored two short-handed goals to pull out the victory. Revenge was sweet, as one month earlier Lloyd had sustained a concussion in a penalty filled loss against that same Cowichan team.

Later in the day, the girls were back on the ice for their third game of the day.

Co-Captain Hailey Dimock announced her return from a two game suspension, as she “lit it up” with three goals and six points in another come-from-behind win against Campbell River."


Midget Girls Win Tournament Gold
Read more: http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/sports/3 ... obile=true