HOCKEY WORLD

Commissioner Hammer “WILL THE NEW commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League please come in and sit down?” A tall gentleman, in his early 30s, enters cautiously, walks to the witness table and is seated. Talking over a tapping sound, the chairman says, “Uh, sir, I’m the only one in the room who is permitted to use a gavel.” “Pardon me,” the gentleman replies, “but this isn’t a gavel. It’s a hammer. 1 carry one wherever I go” “Oh, yes, I see. Uh, you look familiar. We assume you’re like most league commissioners these days—law degree, adept at tap-dancing around controversial issues…” “Why, no. My only experience has been playing hockey, although I’ve had practical experience at league disciplinary hearings. Brian O’Neill and I are on a first-name basis.” “Wait a minute—you’re Dave Schultz! Is this some…

Helmets, Facemasks Not To Blame For Injuries

Because there has been an increase in broken necks and spinal cord injuries in minor hockey recently, the helmet and facemask unit have become the favorite whipping boy. The emotional, not to mention uneducated, reaction is to believe that the helmet and facemasks are the reason, at least part of it, why these serious injuries have become more prevalent. There’s no doubt that fear has spread throughout minor hockey rinks since the Sunnybrook Medical Centre’s Acute Spinal Cored Injury Unit—one of only two in Canada—reported treating six such hockey-related injuries in a 16-month period. Four of those victims are paralyzed. But Dr. Charles Tator, chief of neurosurgery at Sunnybrook and chairman of a committee set up to determine the severity and frequency of the injuries, made it clear that the helmets and facemasks…

The Hockey News

THE INTERNATIONAL HOC KEY WEEKLY Founded in 1947 by Kenneth W. McKenzie DONALD R. WALL Chairman and Publisher BOB MCKENZIE Editor in Chief Advertising and Editorial Offices 214 King Street West—Suite 314 Toronto. Ontario. Canada M5H 1K4 (416) 598-1753 Executive Office 850 Third Ave New York. New York. 10022 (212)593-2100 EDITORIAL STAFF Charlie Halpin Editorial Director Mike Dennis, Assistant Editor Tom Murray, Editorial Consultant Contributing Editors Stan Fischler, Frank Orr TOM WORSLEY Business Manager Paula Heard, Subscription Services Manager Elaine Watkinson, Special Projects Manager (416) 499-8222 ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES RANDY GREEN District Manager Esther Sumka Advertising Service Manage! (416) 598-1753 214 King Street West—Suite 314 Toronto. Ontario, Canada M5H 1K4 New York: Bob Bassinette Bob Bassinette Co 8 Jackson Ave Syosset, NY 1179 (516)921-0508 Minneapolis-St. Paul: Chuck Grillo & Herb Brooks 12890 Dory Ave. Apple Valley. MN 55124 (612) 423-2447 THE HOCKEY NEWS. (ISSN 0018-3016). is published weekly except monthly June through September by W.C.C Publishing Ltd., 214 King Street West—Suite 314, Toronto. Ontario…

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