It seems to me, that it's high time for an NHL hockey team (preferably the Oilers) to make a wholesale commitment to safety, and have the entire team switch to helmets and equipment that could make a substantial difference in the health and welfare of the players.
Having said that, do you guys think having an entire team switch helmets is something that could fly? Would players object to it?
I think it looks pretty sharp from that angle too..
I wouldnt mind having them try it out in practice to see how it feels.
Much nicer/sharper then the one they were proposing for baseball....the one for baseball was about twice the size of a regular one...made players look like GAZU from the jetsons....or Darth Helmet
I'm all for a helmet that will help reduce concussions, but I'm not really sold on this design. I really don't see how this helmet is any better than the status quo.
Much nicer/sharper then the one they were proposing for baseball....the one for baseball was about twice the size of a regular one...made players look like GAZU from the jetsons....or Darth Helmet
Here's a picture of Matt Bradley using one for the Capitals.
One thing that could reduce concussions for Mr Bradley more than any helmet would be for him to keep his mouth guard in his mouth.
I'm all for a helmet that will help reduce concussions, but I'm not really sold on this design. I really don't see how this helmet is any better than the status quo.
I can't think of any other protective helmet in any sport or activity that uses the same two piece design that hockey helmets use.
It's time that hockey helmets went the way of their football, bike, ski, climbing, helicopter, motorcycle, jet fighter, military, equestrian (and I am sure many more) counterparts.
I'm all for a helmet that will help reduce concussions, but I'm not really sold on this design. I really don't see how this helmet is any better than the status quo.
Do you think there's more that could be done design wise that would further improve the helmet?
I can't think of any other protective helmet in any sport or activity that uses the same two piece design that hockey helmets use.
It's time that hockey helmets went the way of their football, bike, ski, climbing, helicopter, motorcycle, jet fighter, military, equestrian (and I am sure many more) counterparts.
I'd say the only helmet that we should really be looking at is the football helmet, as it's the only other helmet that is designed specifically for a sport in which you're certain to receive multiple collisions a game.
However, football players suffer the same problems with concussions as hockey players, maybe even more so. So looking at football helmets might be a good place to see what is wrong more than to see what is right with helmet design.
I can't think of any other protective helmet in any sport or activity that uses the same two piece design that hockey helmets use.
It's time that hockey helmets went the way of their football, bike, ski, climbing, helicopter, motorcycle, jet fighter, military, equestrian (and I am sure many more) counterparts.
I'll start out with Baseball. There are 2 piece baseball helmets.
I agree that a one piece helmet is more protective than a two piece helmet. The thing I question is how much will it help for a hockey hit?
To start off a large majority of concussions in hockey I would wager are due to impacts to the jaw. A one piece helmet will not help anymore than a 2 piece helmet for these concussions.
Next the only place a one piece helmet is going to make a difference is to impacts to the side of the head which no will help to reduce concussions by dispersing the impact. With an impact to the front of back of the head I see no difference in protection.
I'm not sure what the breakdown is for concussions caused due to impacts to the front and back of the head VS the side of the head but I'd guess that it would be fairly even, possibly slightly more concussions due to side impacts. But I believe that the majority of concussions are due to impacts to the jaw/front/back of the head.
Upon doing a little research on the http://www.themessierproject.com/ website, it looks like the main feature in this helmet that reduces concussions is a new foam system.
Also its not even really a one piece helmet, it has an adjustable panel at the back which moves in and out of the helmet to give it a better fit for the player.
Also they only have one helmet, so they really only have one fit. Not every player is going to fit into this helmet. So to have a whole team wear the same helmet is kind of unrealistic.
For those wondering, these helmets are made by Cascade, who haven't exactly had the best track record with their helmets the last few years.
I'd say the only helmet that we should really be looking at is the football helmet, as it's the only other helmet that is designed specifically for a sport in which you're certain to receive multiple collisions a game.
However, football players suffer the same problems with concussions as hockey players, maybe even more so. So looking at football helmets might be a good place to see what is wrong more than to see what is right with helmet design.
As someone who currently plays highschool football (Go Shep) I can tell you Hockey doesn't have nearly as many head to head shots as football. In football, even in the NFL, guys run in with their heads down. Go watch a Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed highlight reel. The majority of huge hits are head on heads, and it's largely uncalled (even though it should be). I play linebacker and I can tell you on the odd play when I line up as a D Lineman all the guy does is headbutt me. If you consider that, then football helmets really are impressive.
I see my O-line and D-line with huge scratches on the top of their helmets which can only be caused by massive head charging and hardly any of them have ever had concussion problems. Football helmets have come a long way. The Revolution Speed I'm using right now for example is absolutely amazing, I barley feel a thing.
I'd say the only helmet that we should really be looking at is the football helmet, as it's the only other helmet that is designed specifically for a sport in which you're certain to receive multiple collisions a game.
However, football players suffer the same problems with concussions as hockey players, maybe even more so. So looking at football helmets might be a good place to see what is wrong more than to see what is right with helmet design.
I don't think that football helmets are poorly designed. I think its more the fact that a football player takes considerably more blows to the head during a football game than a hockey player takes during a hockey game.
Also with football helmets you see the problem of helmets not fitting, because of the one piece design. Especially with players who are just given a helmet and told to wear it, even if it doesn't fit properly. Like that one kid a year or so back who died from a hit to the head during football practice i think it was.
I think the biggest advancement in helmets reducing concussions will be in the types of foam used, not the design of the shell.
On a retail level i doubt that a one piece helmet will do very well.
As someone who currently plays highschool football (Go Shep) I can tell you Hockey doesn't have nearly as many head to head shots as football. In football, even in the NFL, guys run in with their heads down. Go watch a Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed highlight reel. The majority of huge hits are head on heads, and it's largely uncalled (even though it should be). I play linebacker and I can tell you on the odd play when I line up as a D Lineman all the guy does is headbutt me. If you consider that, then football helmets really are impressive.
I see my O-line and D-line with huge scratches on the top of their helmets which can only be caused by massive head charging and hardly any of them have ever had concussion problems. Football helmets have come a long way. The Revolution Speed I'm using right now for example is absolutely amazing, I barley feel a thing.
Good point. You're right, football players do take a lot more punishment in that respect.
It seems to me, that it's high time for an NHL hockey team (preferably the Oilers) to make a wholesale commitment to safety, and have the entire team switch to helmets and equipment that could make a substantial difference in the health and welfare of the players.
Having said that, do you guys think having an entire team switch helmets is something that could fly? Would players object to it?
Players object? Maybe.
Other equipment manufacturers (who give them free equipment to act as human marketing billboards) object? HELL YES.
More likely, they license the technology to Nike Bauer, CCM, Mission, RBK, etc.
I don't think that football helmets are poorly designed. I think its more the fact that a football player takes considerably more blows to the head during a football game than a hockey player takes during a hockey game.
Also with football helmets you see the problem of helmets not fitting, because of the one piece design. Especially with players who are just given a helmet and told to wear it, even if it doesn't fit properly. Like that one kid a year or so back who died from a hit to the head during football practice i think it was.
I think the biggest advancement in helmets reducing concussions will be in the types of foam used, not the design of the shell.
On a retail level i doubt that a one piece helmet will do very well.
Ya, I agree, it's a tough sell. However, it's something that an NHL team could invest in easily.
Personally, I would love to see the Oilers take a pro-active approach, and get custom one piece helmets made for all their players and prospects. It kind of surprises me that no team has already done this, considering how much work they already put in to getting the equipment just right for these guys.
Other equipment manufacturers (who give them free equipment to act as human marketing billboards) object? HELL YES.
More likely, they license the technology to Nike Bauer, CCM, Mission, RBK, etc.
The players would object to being forced to wear a certain helmet. Some players are paid a lot of money to wear the helmets that they do. And i'm sure they wouldn't be pleased if they had to give away that income.
In a lot of instances they aren't given the gear for free, the teams pay for it.
Ya, I agree, it's a tough sell. However, it's something that an NHL team could invest in easily.
Personally, I would love to see the Oilers take a pro-active approach, and get custom one piece helmets made for all their players and prospects. It kind of surprises me that no team has already done this, considering how much work they already put in to getting the equipment just right for these guys.
That would be extremely expensive. I don't think the benefit of doing this would outweigh the costs that it would require.
To the point that his concussion is likely a large reason we missed the playoffs last season.
I'd imagine a handful of home playoff games is worth a hell of a lot more than this cost...
(Yes, I know that his particular hit was likely because of the shoulder to his jaw, but his head was almost smashed into the glass, so who knows?)
True, but say for argument sake that Hemsky's injury was a hit to the side of the head where I would say that this new helmet would offer the biggest increase in protection. I don't think that this new helmet would offer enough of an increase in protection to justify the cost of a custom one piece helmet.
Now i'm not sure on the exact cost of doing a custom helmet because I have never done any. But i do know that a custom plastics molds are not cheap to have made up. And for the minimal improvement that it might provide i doubt that its even close to worth it.
its almost like spending a lot of money on the safest vehicle available and then not wearing your seat belt.
This team has a billionaire owner. Do you guys seriously think cost is an issue when it comes to player safety? Why do you think its not worth spending relatively low amount of money to protect our players?
