Colorado Avalanche: Facing Concussions in Modern Hockey

Feb 20, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; USA forward Kendall Coyne (26) battles for the puck with Canada forward Natalie Spooner (24) in the women’s ice hockey gold medal game during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Ice Dome. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Can we Fix the Game By Changing the Rules?

Whether or not the world of professional sports can appropriately cope for concussions remains a mystery. Current considerations from the NFL and NHL seem necessary and appropriately precautionary, but both are inherently violent.

Reducing the inherent violence would take a lot of effort, with a lot of people agreeing to try some changes out – with the great amount of authority placed with the fans for lending their opinions on the changing landscape.

Our consensus opinions seem kind of murky when it comes to the female counterparts and organizations in pro sports. Body checking is illegal in women’s hockey (collegiate and Olympic), but that doesn’t mean its not a physical game. Recent reports show as many as 50% of injuries sustained by athletes were from collisions.

Despite the growing number of voices asking for body checking to be legalized in Women’s Hockey, the sport has been around since the end of the 19th century for women and has struggled mightily at being recognized. Women’s basketball has had similar struggles for recognition. How much do the biases in rules between the sexes – especially when it comes to violence – play a part in this?

As fans, we’re met at a pinnacle moment. Future generations may look back and say that we had to pick sides during a fork in the road while the science unraveled itself to everyone. Which way we decide and where that road ends up kind of depends on what the fans think about it.

Next: Easy Solutions