Most hockey helmets don't effectively prevent concussions: study

source : newstalk650.com

A new study out of Virginia Tech finds that most hockey helmets on the market do not adequately prevent concussions, be they used by NHL professionals or children in Timbits hockey.

The study, published on the college's website Monday, rated 32 helmets on a five-star scale.
Only one model, (the Warrior Krown 360,) rated above two stars. Nine helmet varieties received zero stars.

Researchers conducted their tests over the course of three years, with a budget of $500,000. None of the funding was provided by the helmet industry.

Each helmet was subjected to 48 impact tests: four directions at three energy levels, twice. Testing took place both in the lab, and an ice skating rink. The focus of the testing was solely on concussion prevention, so the findings do not speak to a helmet's ability to prevent skull fractures or other brain injuries.

Tellingly, the findings indicate that a helmet's price has little bearing on how safe it is, at least when it comes to concussions. A $270 helmet scored lower than a $35 model from the same manufacturer.

Virginia Tech did a similar study on football helmets in 2011, with similarly damning results. The industry quickly responded, and when researchers tested the manufacturers' new helmet models three years later, the results were significantly improved.

A full list of the helmets rated can be found below. More information on the rating system, and the research methodology, can be found here.

Hockey helmet concussion ratings:

5 Stars - Best Available

(None)

4 Stars - Very Good

(None)

3 Stars - Good

Warrior Krown 360 - $79.98

2 Stars - Adequate 

CCM Resistance 300 - $159.99
Bauer 5100 - $89.99
Warrior Krown LTE - $119.99
Reebok 11k - $159.99
Bauer 2100 - $34.99
CCM Resistance 100 - $74.99

1 Star - Marginal
CCM V08 - $74.99
Tour Spartan GX - $67.00
Reebok 4k - $49.98
Bauer IMS 9.0 - $139.99
Easton E300 - $29.98
Bauer 7500 - $99.99
Easton E700 - $129.98
CCM Resistance - $229.99
Mission M15 - $26.98
Bauer Re-Akt 100 - $269.99
Bauer Re-Akt - $199.99
Bauer IMS 11.0 - $159.99
Easton E600 - $79.98
Reebok 7k - $99.99
CCM V06 - $54.99
Mission Inhaler - $98.99

0 Stars - Not Recommended
Bauer 9900 - $99.98
Bauer 4500 - $69.99
Reebok 5k - $84.99
Reebok 3k - $39.99
Reebok 8k - $44.98
Easton E400 - $44.98
Tour Spartan ZX Pro - $88.47
Bauer IMS 7.0 - $119.99
CCM V04 - $49.99

Habs : DIAZ'S return from concussion will bolster defense

Source : Tsn.ca

The return of Raphael Diaz could not have come at a better time for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Swiss defenceman was tabbed to be back to face the Washington Capitals on Saturday night after missing 25 games with a concussion.

The club had been reeling on defence since an injury to Alexei Emein on April 6, and Diaz is expected to bring his skill and puck-moving ability into his spot alongside veteran Andrei Markov.

"I did a lot of skating this week and yeah, I'm ready to play," the 27-year-old said. "Of course the game speed is different.

"I need a couple of shifts and then I'll be ready."

Diaz was a key player for Montreal through the first 19 games of the season before he was injured on Feb. 25 against Ottawa.

With P.K. Subban missing the first six games while getting his contract signed, Diaz stepped up. And even after Subban returned, the five-foot-11 Diaz was usually getting more than 20 minutes per game as well as seeing some power play duty.

That gave him a chance to show the offensive flair that had made him a star in his native Switzerand before he signed as an undrafted free agent with Montreal last season. He had a goal and 12 assists before the injury.

His return gives Montreal six experienced defencemen and restores the righty-lefty balance on the three pairings, as Francis Bouillon can return to the left side with newcomer Davis Drewiske.

That should help a team that gave up 24 goals in the first six games after Emelin's season ended with a torn knee ligament, which he suffered while putting a hit on Boston's Milan Lucic. It included a three-game stretch of losses in which they allowed 18 goals.

He won't replace Emelin's physical presence, but he will help move the puck out of the zone and pick up the pace of the game.

"It's a big lift and a confidence booster for everyone," rearguard Josh Gorges said of Diaz's return. "I think he's an outstanding hockey player.

"He's a guy that does everything well for you. He'll help solidify our top six. He can play in all situations."

Diaz struggled with injuries as a first-year NHL player last season, when he had only three goals and 16 points in 59 games.

Bad luck struck again this season against Ottawa, when he was run into while falling to the ice and had an opponent's leg clip his chin.

"The problem was that I wasn't ready," he said. "I was protecting myself to fall down.

"If I saw the leg coming, it wouldn't't be that bad."

The recovery wasn't as rapid as he hoped. He wasn't able even to skate or exercise in the first weeks, but the process went quickly once he started feeling better. He has been skating for about two weeks.

It was his second concussion, after one suffered three years ago in Switzerland.

It was also a big day for winger Brandon Prust, who was named the winner of the Jacques
Beauchamp Trophy as the team's unsung hero as voted by the local media.

Prust has brought much-needed physicality to the Canadiens, whose strengths are speed and team play. He is also popular among his teammates.

"It feels good," said Prust, who signed as a free agent from the New York Rangers last summer.

"That's the easy part of the game for me -- to go out and work your butt off.

"It's what got me here, so I knew coming in everyone in Montreal would appreciate that. It's easier for me to come in than for a guy who is expected to get 50 goals. I just do my work. It's good to see it's appreciated."

Prust has five goals and eight assists in 34 games and leads the team in penalty minutes with 104.

Gorges, who won the award last year and in 2010, said Prust earned it.

"He's the type of guy that every team needs, especially at playoff time," he said. "You need that physical presence, but in the game now, you can't just have a goon. I don't want to say that word, but a guy that all he does is fight.

"(Prust) can play and he plays very well. He can play on your third line checking, he can play on your first line to open up room and make plays. On the penalty kill, he's outstanding. He does a little bit of everything and makes everyone better when he's on the ice."

Prust finished ahead of Bouillon and backup goalie Peter Budaj in voting.

The trophy was first awarded in 1982 to centre Doug Jarvis.

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