(above) Mark Messier displays the M11 hockey helmet that is designed to reduce concussionsFrom: Denver Post
by Adrian Dater
The way Mary-Kay Messier sees it, for too long the only criteria for whether a helmet deserved to be worn by NHL players was "how it made them look in the mirror."
"And I think that's still the case with a lot of players at the (NHL) level," said Messier, the sister of Hall of Famer Mark Messier and former DU Captain Paul Messier. "But we're trying to educate and change all that." [read entire article]
"And I think that's still the case with a lot of players at the (NHL) level," said Messier, the sister of Hall of Famer Mark Messier and former DU Captain Paul Messier. "But we're trying to educate and change all that." [read entire article]
5 comments:
I used to hear stories about Mark coming down on weekends when he had no games and watching his brothers play at DU. Too bad he couldn't have decided that a year or two of college hockey was beneficial...
Mark turned pro at the age of 17 with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA in 1978-79. After a 5 game tryout he was released and shortly thereafter was signed by the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA. The WHA folded at the end of the season and the Edmonton Oilers, now in the NHL, drafted him in the 1979 draft and the rest is history. He didn't need to play college hockey and he barely played major junior in Canada. He played Tier II for Prince Albert in the AJHL and had a cup of coffee with Portland in the WHL.
I first met him when he was 15 and came down to visit Paul at DU. He was a manchild and could have played for DU as a 15-year old. He was that good.
This is good dialogue, if nothing else. The hockey helmet is truly one of the few sports protective gear that hasn't changed much since it's inception. Football helmets have evolved considerably, race car driver helmets have too. I mean - since 1979, Basketball shoes have evolved moreso than hockey helmets! What's wrong with this picture??? Once a better design comes along, I hold the NHL and NCAA responsible to make the change and MANDATE that all participants use them.
In light of Jesse Martin's injury and many others in college hockey three areas need to be looked at: equipment, rules and insurance.
Guys don't have to be accountable for their actions on the ice,until that changes head shots will continue.
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