Concussion Safety Expert Objects to NHL's Protocols in Wake of Pageau Incident
In case you missed it, Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin threw a heavy check unto Islanders' forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau, which left him dazed. Many felt as though Ovechkin deserved a penalty, which he did not receive.
Retired WWE wrestler and Harvard-educated neuroscientist Dr. Chris Nowinski had choice words on the matter, questioning the NHL's concussion protocols.
Head trauma is a serious issue for athletes in contact sports that has severe consequences long-term. CTE studies have proven that repeated blows to one's head result in lasting effects such as progressive decline of memory and cognition, as well as depression, suicidal behavior, poor impulse control, aggressiveness, parkinsonism, and, eventually, dementia (NIH).
This isn't the first time the NHL has faced criticism for archaic practices. Player agent Allan Walsh is the most popular critic of the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman, but Dr. Chris Nowinski is a leading expert in concussion safety with a Ph.D. from Harvard.
For Nowinski to question the NHL's concussion protocols publicly is a major statement, which - hopefully - leads to positive change. Nobody should face lifelong degenerative brain damage from a game.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 17 | 218 ANSWERS Concussion Safety Expert Objects to NHL's Protocols in Wake of Pageau Incident Should the NHL have stricter concussion protocols? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 34.9 % |
| No | 52 | 23.9 % |
| I don't know, I'm not a doctor | 53 | 24.3 % |
| See results | 37 | 17 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||