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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Hockey Injuries Issue

 Hockey is a dangerous sport. We all know that this statement is true. Everyday on a sports channel, a Hockey website, or even see this in person. You experience the deadly knowledge that someone is gone with a serious injury. I'm writing to inform you about different Hockey injuries and they occur in the sport.

List of Common Hockey Injuries
  1. Lower back problems: Players bend down to look for the puck, hitting and getting hit hard by another player.
  2. Neck injury: Bending down looking for the puck can also cause the neck to strain by turning your head at an angle.
  3. Foot injury: Skating for hours can cause pain to the ankles, heels, and also the toes. This occurs because tightness of Hockey skates.
  4. Tendonitis: All the twisting and turning in the game of hockey cause inflammation to the back of the leg.
  5. Head injury: Getting checked hard or receiving a blind side hit-to-the-head, can cause a concussion or a head injury.
  6. Black eye: Fighting and flying sticks and pucks that go towards the area of the face.
  7. Broken teeth: Falling down hard on the cold, frozen ice can break, chip, or splinter.
  8. Frostbite: An Ice Arena is cold. The ice it self is about -4 C. frostbite occurs for Hockey players because the blood  isn't circulating as well because of the tightness of all their equipment.The blood isn't flowing so frostbite is easier to occur.
  9. Cuts and bleeding: Sticks and skates are  sharp and will probably be able to give an opponent a cut without even knowing you did it.
  10. Broken bones: A bad check or fall awkwardly can break bones in Hockey.
Injuries in Hockey that can be Prevented

 Dangerous hits/checks can lead to many bad injuries that can put a player out of the game. The injuries get occur from serious hits can take a player out for 1 week to 6 months as well as possible surgery. We can put a stop to this from a few ways.
  1. No open ice hits. A player can only hit/check other player along the rink boards.
  2. No hits toward the opponents head. This will decrease the number of concussions and head injuries.
  3. Hockey fights should be reduced to nothing. In any other major sport like Basketball, Football, Soccer, etc. You never see two players start a fight that can potentially injury them and force them to sit on the sidelines watching what they love and do for a living.  
  4. Play Smart Hockey. Don't go and try to injury a player because they're getting in your skin.
Here's a video of some of the worst Hockey hits.
 


This is what we need to reduce from the game of Hockey. No one should be worried that the next time they touch the puck they're getting run-over by a 200 pound Hockey player and ending up in the hospital with a concussion.

Reference List 


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Comparing Sports Drinks vs Energy Drinks in Hockey


In hockey today, there have been some reports about players drinking Energy Drinks before hockey games. The link above states that Nova Scotia wants to ban Energy Drinks in their minor hockey leagues. If they do they will be the first province in Canada to-do-so.
Energy Drinks
Energy Drinks are energy boosters that contain a lot of caffeine and sugar. Energy Drinks have lots more caffeine than Coca-Cola. Coke has 35 mg (milligrams) of caffeine in 12 ounces and Monster Energy Drink contains 120 mg of caffeine in 12 ounces. Energy Drinks are seen everywhere you go.   They are for adults not for kids because of the sugar and caffeine content. If you gave a child an Energy Drink, they will be so hyper that you couldn't control them. Now if you gave an Energy Drink to a child before his hockey game, imagine the side-effects. The side-effects of these drinks are restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, and stomach problems. Due to hyper activities, it can cause dizziness, fainting, and heart palpitations. That’s why Nova Scotia wants to ban Energy Drinks before hockey games.













Red Bull Energy Drinks Nutrition Facts

Sports Drinks
Sports Drinks are drinks that are made for athletes before, during, and after their sporting events. It helps replenish carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals (nutrients) that have been lost in a workout. Sports Drinks contains salt that makes you drink more to replenish your lost nutrients.
 The two main Sports Drinks are Gatorade and Powerade. Gatorade controls the Sports Drink market by selling 77.2%.and Powerade with 21.7% in the United States. In Hockey and other Sports, Sport Drinks have a big impact on them. Their marketing and advertising on sport channels like TSN, Sportsnet, etc. attracts young viewers. They also like to use Athletes in different sports such as: Sidney Crosby (Hockey-NHL), Kevin Durant (Basketball-NBA), Peyton Manning (Football- NFL), Derek Jeter (Baseball-MLB), Landon Donovan (Soccer-MLS), etc. to increase their sales.
 Sports Drinks are good for children and youth who are in sweat-related sports like Hockey, Soccer, Football, Tennis, and etc. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/phys-ed-are-sports-drinks-actually-good-for-kids/. The article in this link states that kids would mostly want to drink flavoured water like Sports Drinks than water.
   











Why Sports Drinks are better than Energy Drinks?
       Sports Drinks are better than Energy Drinks in any sport or daily life because they do not have caffeine and stimulants which can make you hyper-active and can give problems like restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, and stomach problems.

Reference List


http://www.gatorade.com

Monday, February 20, 2012

1972 Summit Series

 The 1972 Summit Series between Canada and Soviet Union (now split into different countries, Russia was the biggest part of the Soviet Union) is one of the Greatest Moments in Hockey. The rivalry between the two countries makes any Canada - Russia hockey game a skilled, passionate game and both teams playing hard for the win. 

1972 Summit Series
 The Summit Series was the first hockey competition between Canada (all players played in the NHL on Canada) and the Soviet Union. The Summit Series was an eight game competition. 4 of the 8 games were in Canada at Montreal, QC (Montreal Forum), Toronto, ON (Maple Leaf Gardens), Winnipeg MB (Winnipeg Arena), and Vancouver, BC (Pacific Coliseum). The rest of the games were in the Soviet Union in Moscow (now part of Russia) at the Luzhniki Ice Palace.

The Competition 
Game 1 at Montreal, QC, on September 2, 1972: The first game for the Summit Series started with a bang. Phil Esposito scored in the first period in thirty seconds for Canada. The Canadians took a 2-0 lead in the first 6 minutes in the first period. Canadians at the game thought Canada would easily win the Series. But they were wrong. USSR (Soviet Union) came back to tie the game up before the end of the period. The Soviets scored twice in the second period thanks to Valeri Kharlamov. The Soviets won the game 7-3. USSR was winning the series 1-0.  

Game 2 at Toronto, ON, on September 4, 1972: Second Game of the Series had a different result then the first with Canada winning 4-1. Peter Mahovlich scored a short-handed which he beat the Soviet net-minder Vladislav Tretiak
Game 3 at Winnipeg, MB on September 6, 1972: The third game in ended in a tie of 4-4. Canada had two leads but the Soviets did not give and made the series one win, one tie, and one tie for both the teams.

Game 4 at Vancouver, B.C. on September 8, 1972: Game 4 was a disappointing loss for Canada, losing 5-3. Vancouver's crowd had booed off the ice after the game. Phil Esposito had a great speech to the fans and the Series: 

"To the people across Canada, we tried, we gave it our best, and to the people that boo us, geez, I'm really, all of us guys are really disheartened and we're disillusioned, and we're disappointed at some of the people. We cannot believe the bad press we've got, the booing we've gotten in our own buildings. If the Russians boo their players, the fans... Russians boo their players... Some of the Canadian fans—I'm not saying all of them, some of them booed us, then I'll come back and I'll apologize to each one of the Canadians, but I don't think they will. I'm really, really... I'm really disappointed. I am completely disappointed. I cannot believe it. Some of our guys are really, really down in the dumps, we know, we're trying like hell. I mean, we're doing the best we can, and they got a good team, and let's face facts. But it doesn't mean that we're not giving it our 150%, because we certainly are.
I mean, the more - everyone of us guys, 35 guys that came out and played for Team Canada. We did it because we love our country, and not for any other reason, no other reason. They can throw the money, uh, for the pension fund out the window. They can throw anything they want out the window. We came because we love Canada. And even though we play in the United States, and we earn money in the United States, Canada is still our home, and that's the only reason we come. And I don't think it's fair that we should be booed." - Phil Esposito 


Stop at Sweden: Team Canada stopped at Sweden and played the Swedish National Team on September 16 and 17 at the Hovet Arena, Stockholm, Sweden. Canada beat Sweden 4-1 and a 4-4 tie too.

Game 5 at Moscow, USSR (now in Russia) on September 22, 1972: Canada had arrived at Moscow for the final 4 games of the Summit Series. Some Canadian players left the team to go back home. Canada led the game 4-1, but lost 5-4 to the Soviets.  

Game 6 at Moscow, USSR (now in Russia) on September 24, 1972: Game Six had controversy between some Canadian players and Soviet players. Bobby Clarke had purposely slashed Varleri Kharlamov in the ankle. Kharlamov was the Soviet's best player. Varleri Kharlamov played the rest of the game, but missed Game 7 and did not do much in Game 8. Few years after John Ferguson, the assistant coach of the Canadian Team, told the media that he told Bobby Clarke to slash his ankle. Canada won the game 3-2 with Paul Henderson scoring the game winner in the second period.

Game 7 at Moscow, USSR (now in Russia) on September 26, 1972: Game 7 had controversy as well.  Gary Bergman of Canada and Boris Mikhailov of the Soviets had started a fight and Mikhailov used his skate as a weapon on him. He did it twice before stopping. Canada won the game 4-3 by Paul Henderson scoring in the third. 

Game 8 at Moscow, USSR (now in Russia) on September 28, 1972: The series had been a tie going into Game 8 at both teams with 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie. Most of Canada shut down to watch the game at school or work. The game was an intense battle between the Canadians and the Soviets. Canada took early penalties in the beginning of the game.  J. P. Parise had swung his stick at the Soviet player, Josef Kompalla. Parise had received a match penalty.  Harry Sinden (The Coach of Team Canada), had thrown a chair on to the ice. The score was 2-2 after the first periods end. The USSR had scored 3 more in the second period and Canada scored one to make it 5-3. Team Canada was desperate to score and goaltender Ken Dryden, quoted to say: "If we lose this one, I'll be the most hated man in Canada." - Ken Dryden. The third period was the best of the whole series and had the most controversy in it. Yvan Cournoyer, of Canada and Phil Esposito scored in the third to tie it up. The goal light do not come on and Alan Eagleson (hockey agent) had started making noise and was about to be taken away with the USSR police, but Peter Mahovlich stop the Soviet police with his stick. Eagleson did not go with the Soviets police, but went to the Canadian bench and gave the crowd the middle finger. Some other Canadian fans also gave the finger as well. The score was 5-5; both teams at 3-3-1, Soviets delegation said that if the game was a tie USSR would take the series win because of goal differential. With 1 minute left in the game Canadian had put Phil Esposito, Yvan Cournoyer, and Peter Mahovlich on to the ice. Paul Henderson had replaced Mahovlich when he skated by the bench and he rushed to the net. Esposito took a shot at the net and the Soviets goalie, Vladislav Tretiak gave a giant rebound and Henderson scored right past him! Canada had won the Summit Series 4-3-1 against the Soviets! The winning goal was captured by Frank Lennon


 

Stop at Czechoslovakia
Canada also stopped at Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia) for 1 game which ended in a tie 3-3 at the Sportovní hala in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now in Czech Republic). 

Roster for Canada: Phil Esposito, Paul Henderson, Bobby Clarke, Yvan Cournoyer, Brad Park, Dennis HullJ. P. Parise, Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Gary Bergman, Ron Ellis, Gilbert Perreault, Bill Goldsworthy, Frank Mahovlich, Peter Mahovlich, Bill White,Wayne Cashman, Serge Savard, Stan Mikita, Red Berenson, Guy Lapointe, Mickey Redmond, Don Awrey, Vic Hadfield, Rod Seiling, Pat Stapleton, Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden,  Eddie Johnston.

Roster for the Soviet Union: Boris MikhailovVladimir PetrovYury BlinovValeri KharlamovAlexander YakushevYevgeni ZiminVyacheslav StarshinovVladimir VikulovYevgeni MishakovAlexander Maltsev,Vladimir ShadrinYuri LebedevAlexander VolchkovVyacheslav AnisinAlexander BodunovAlexander MartynyukViacheslav Solodukhin  Valery VasilievAlexander RagulinViktor KuzkinVladimir LutchenkoGennadiy TsygankovYuri LyapkinYuri ShatalovAleksander GusevVitaly DavydovYevgeny Paladiev. Vladislav TretiakVictor ZingerAlexander SidelnikovAlexander Pashkov.

Why this was an important event in Hockey?
This was an important event because it showed the rivalry between Canada and the Soviets Union to the fullest extreme. Soviets had a different kind of training methods and worked well for them. North America watched and learned these training methods and some NHL teams used them to train. Soviets also got respect from fans for there performance. Canada learned that even if you play in the highest league of hockey, you may not be the best in the world.

Reference





Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Immigration Timeline of Canadian Events



 This is a Immigration Timeline I created with my classmate Nelson. It is about Canadian Immigration and what we thought was important in the events.
All months and dates are not accurate, only the year.
Hope you enjoy!

Source:
http://ccrweb.ca/en/hundred-years-immigration-canada-1900-1999
http://www.timetoast.com/

Monday, December 5, 2011

Headshots in Hockey

Many players in all sports have been affected by a shot to the head, but mostly headshots have made them part of the game in hockey and football. Why those two sports? These are sure to be the earth’s toughest sports. Both include body contact.
These days the most discussed topic in the NHL is headshots and how to stop them. For the last few years there has been an outburst of concussions involving headshots. 
Last week I watched this video on CBC website. The video is about the 2011-12 NHL season. Cassie Campbell Pascall, Scotty Bowman, Ken Dryden, Elliotte Friedman and Peter Mansbridge discuss about: Fighting, headshots, and how some players are in the league just to fight. 
What should we do about headshots and also the NHL and NHLPA (National Hockey League Players Associations)?

       Following are the statistics of concussions in the 2010-11 season:
                                   
44% of concussions that were reported was caused by “legal hits”
31% of concussions were accidental
14% of concussions were caused by legal headshots
8% of concussions were caused by fighting

        Many hockey players have been affected by headshots and careers have shortened due to their concussions.
Here are few famous hockey players who have been affected by headshots:
      Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby was hit to the head by David Steckel on January 1, 2011, during the 2011 Winter Classic, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA. He was hit again to the head by Victor Hedman on January 5, 2011, in a Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning game at Pittsburgh, PA. Sidney Crosby missed about 11 months of playing hockey.


Paul Kariya

       Paul Kariya is one of the league’s Greatest Players. He is known for his speed and hockey skills. He has suffered a lot of concussions in his hockey career. He even has suffered 4 concussions in 3 years too! That’s not normal to suffer that many in such a short period of time and health wise that’s horrible. His first NHL concussion was in 4th season from Mathieu Schneider while playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had to force retirement due to post-concussion syndrome.


Current NHL Rules

       The current NHL rule for a Hit to the Head is contained in the 2011-12 Official NHL Rulebook in Rule 48. According to this rule:
Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head – A hit which is resulting contact to the other player’s head which is targeted. There are 5 penalties as follows:
·       Minor Penalty- 2 minutes in the penalty box will be handed out.
·       Major Penalty- 5 minutes in the penalty box will be handed out.
·       Game Misconduct Penalty- ejected from the game.
·       Match Penalty- ejected from the game.
·       Fines and Suspensions- player will serve 1+ games not playing in the hockey games or they will pay a certain amount of money.
The NHL will decide the rank of the headshot.
       Is the league doing all of that? My answer is no. Why? I’ve got few examples of league not giving out suspensions:







There was no suspension on that hit, but Lucic could have easily not checked Ryan Miller and cause a huge fight and the league was supposed to prevent those hits.




That hit was not needed at all. Steckel was looking at the puck where Crosby’s head was. The hit was Shoulder-to-Head Blind Side on Crosby.

          I think we should stop and get the idea that headshots should be out of all hockey leagues worldwide. The NHL should put a stop to all hits to the head, and any serious hits that can lead to concussions. The NHLPA should react to any sort of dangerous hits and the player should get a suspension. We should play safe hockey for fun and fitness.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

2012 NHL Entry Draft

The NHL just announced that the 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be hosted by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Consol Energy Center. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had informed the media on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Consol Energy Center. Last time Pittsburgh hosted the NHL Entry Draft was in 1997 at their old arena, Mellon Arena.
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft had Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at first overall acquired by the Edmonton Oilers. It was located at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The top prospect to go first overall in the 2012 Entry Draft is Nail Yakupov (Russia). 

Source: nhl.com

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Blogging Purpose (Hockey)

For my blog I will be blogging about hockey. The purpose for blogging is:
Learn, Communicate, Think, Connect, and Change the World.


Learn: I will be learning about teams, standings, stats, and injuries.


Communicate: I will be communicating about hockey games, stats, standings, and anything that happens in hockey.


Think: I will be thinking about how to prevent injuries in hockey, how injuries effect hockey players, predictions in hockey,etc.


Connect: I will be connecting with the NHL, NHLPA, the hockey games, and you of course.


Change the World: I will change the world with trying to stop injuries (for ex. concussions, head shots).


Hope you will enjoy my blog!