Head Impact / Concussion Awareness & Return to Play Protocol as presented by Head Coach, Andy Hopkins, and Team Trainer, Bill Grant, on 15 August 2015 at the Parent Meeting.
Bill Grant (Trainer) and I discussed head trauma and the team's policy in regards to injuries sustained during the course of an on-ice event. To reiterate that conversation, no chances will be taken if head trauma or injury with head trauma potential is expected. Players will:
1. Immediately be removed from play if head injury is suspected. They will not be allowed to continue to participate in the event, and unless circumstances prevent it, will be taken to the team dressing room immediately.
2. Be required to see a Doctor immediately following removal from the event.
3. If concussion is confirmed, the player will enter the Return to Play Protocol following each step as outlined in the video.
4. Players will only be allowed to return to play a) once all Return to Play Protocol steps have been met and, b) they have permission from their physician - as re-evaluated once all protocol steps are met.
5. Players that suffer a head injury but are not diagnosed as having a concussion, will be required to rest for a period of days as outlined by their physician.
6. Confirmation of Head Injury, or lack thereof, must be identified to team training staff in writing from the family physician, before returning to the ice.
7. The are no exceptions to these rules, regardless of the time of season, the player, or the situation at hand. Our player's futures will not be determined by missing one, two or even three games at the cost of a head injury, at the Novice level. I know it seems a bit remote but we have already had 1 concussion case this season. Baseline testing is available through Barrie Sports Medicine. Baseline testing at the Novice level may be valuable to some but is certainly not an exact science at this point.
For those interested in viewing the video again, it is available on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCCD52Pty4A
Andy Hopkins
Head Coach
Barrie Colts Novice 'A'