Minor Hockey, Major Injury

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Jillene's treatment progressed in the same way as Kienan's, except for the length of recovery. She did have a few different symptoms, but they may have been caused by a cold virus.

Initially, both athletes were displaying frustration with not being able to participate. Both athletes were modifying the intensity of activities in their teams' practices. As their symptoms resolved, they both displayed confidence in their testing and daily activities, says Szumlak.

Once back in the game, young players need to build confidence and work on skills that will keep them safer on the ice.

The risk of concussion cannot be eliminated. A helmet and mouth guard will protect against lacerations, fractures and breaks, but won't always stop concussions from happening, because of the way the brain slops back and forth inside the skull.

However, kids can reduce risk by building up their shoulder and neck muscles to absorb the force of a hit. And those who play hockey can learn how to take a hit into the boards and be more aware of players around them.

"Kids have to play smarter, to be more aware of where the other players are on the ice," says Szumlak. "They also have to learn to respect the other team, and not deliberately hit or hurt other players. It's about respect in sport. Do not skate close to the boards. Face the other player. It's so easy to be hit by another player, slam into the boards, and then crash to the ice. That's three consecutive hits, which can have dangerous cumulative effects."

Szumlak says changing the way the game is played can also reduce concussions among young hockey players. Coaches and players need to learn proper blocking and checking, goaltending and power skating, and, above all, learn to respect the players on their team and the opposing team. Parents need to set a good example, by encouraging referees to enforce the rules that are there to protect the players.

While awareness about the dangers of concussion is on the rise, Hildahl says athletes and, in some cases, parents, still need to have a better understanding of the potential long-term damage that can be caused by a concussion. "Too often, the heat of the moment or the dream of a contract in the NHL, gets in the way of good judgment," he says. "People need to realize that ignoring a concussion and returning to play before they are cleared puts them at much higher risk for a second concussion. This second concussion can occur with a blow much less severe than the first blow which caused the initial injury, but it has the potential to be catastrophic because the brain is already injured and much more susceptible to injury. This second injury can lead to life long damage, resulting in disability or even death. This is not a condition to be complacent about," says Hildahl. "Kurt Warner (the Arizona quarterback) said it right, 'This is just a game. I have the rest of my life to live and I want to be healthy to enjoy it with my family.'"

With both of his children suffering concussions, Ron Rodgers has become a bit of an expert on the subject, in that he is often consulted when a child is injured during a game he is attending. "Parents approach us now, asking our advice about what to do. In the heat of the game, it's hard to make a decision, but it's not worth sending a kid back in, when you just don't know how hard a knock they took to the head."

The injuries to their children have left both Ron and Carol a little nervous, but they remain strong supporters of Kienan and Jillene's continued play for their respective teams.

"Kienan took about 11 or 12 weeks before he went back to play, while Jillene took seven to eight weeks," says Carol. "Neither one of the kids could have prevented the hit that took them down. Both of them love to play hockey and want to continue, so for now we will accept their decision to continue playing hockey and support them. We both enjoy watching them play the game."

His dad may tease Kienan about taking up curling as an alternate ice sport, but Kienan says he enjoys hockey too much to give it up. The same goes for Jillene, who was helped along in her recovery by watching what her brother went through last summer.

Nonetheless, they are aware of the potential problems that can come with a concussion. "A lot of the kids say they want to be NHL players when they grow up, but Kienan has changed his mind about that, says Ron. "He'd rather be a psychologist or a lawyer now. He's quite concerned about the effect a concussion might have had on his brain, his ability to think and his memory."

Susie Strachan is a Winnipeg writer.

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Wave is published six times a year by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in cooperation with the Winnipeg Free Press. It is available at newsstands, hospitals and clinics throughout Winnipeg, as well as McNally Robinson Books.