Local hockey association implements concussion protocol

As the concerns of the effect of concussions on athletes of any age continues to be a concern, the Sault Female Hockey Association (SFHA) is taking a proactive approach.

The SFHA passed a motion earlier this month to implement a concussion protocol that will be implemented beginning in the fall.

The association has partnered with Complete Concussion Management (CCMI) and Sault Ste. Marie-based Concussion Pro Clinic and the groups have put together a policy that included mandatory training and education for house league and rep coaches and managers along with mandatory annual baseline testing for players on the local Sault Wildcats rep teams. The testing is for players 8-years-old and up.

The SFHA will also recommend baseline testing for all players 8-years-old and up on the association’s house league teams as well.

Baseline testing involve computerized assessments of reaction time, memory capacity, speed of mental processing and executive functioning of the brain. The baseline test gives doctors a comparable when testing a player following a suspected concussion.

“Our coaches and managers, for both house league and Wildcat rep teams, will be trained and have access to a mobile app that leads them through assessment of a potential concussion without leaving the bench,” Darin MacLachlan, director of coach and player development with the SFHA, said. “This will help them make informed decisions on whether an athlete should continue with the current on-ice activity. Additionally, a concussion practitioner from either Concussion Pro or another recognized CCMI clinic if our teams are travelling throughout North America will be immediately notified of the injury and next steps can be determined.”