Joey Payeur
Having played and coached hockey for several decades, as well as being an administrator, Wayne Strachan has been around long enough to understand the dangers inherent to the sport.
One of those risks which has bolted to the forefront of late is the issue of concussions, especially in young people.
Ontario took a big step towards confronting the issue of head injuries in youth athletics with all-party support of “Rowan’s Law,” which was introduced in the legislature on Nov. 25 by Nepean-Carleton Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa McLeod.
The proposed law is the first of 49 recommendations to come out of a coroner’s inquest into the death of 17-year-old Ottawa resident Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player who died days after being knocked unconscious during a game.
It was discovered during the inquest that the incident was Stringer’s third concussion in less than a week.
“It’s definitely something that is needed,” said Strachan, who is president of the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association, as well as being the head coach/general manager of the Fort Frances Lakers Junior ‘A’ squad.
“As president, I think with the many different levels that are offered in minor hockey, our trainers need to be more aware of concussions and follow a strict concussion protocol for the young boys and girls,” he noted.
“Injuries and what you learn in the trainer courses are often forgot about by the volunteers, and it could become dangerous for some of the players coming back early or when they are not totally healed,” he warned.
Strachan’s perspective on the matter is no different when he dons his coach’s hat.
“As a coach, I know our trainers are diligent in the players’ injuries, getting them diagnosed properly and then the proper rehab for them to recover and return to play,” he remarked.
“This season, we have taken a step further with our concussion protocol and have teamed up with the [Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls].
“We are very strict in the back-to-play process—something that was just starting to come to light 10 years ago,” Strachan said.
“Any slight symptom of a concussion now and the player is shut down until further examined,” he stressed.
“Back then, he may have rested for a bit and then went out and finished the game,” noted Strachan.
“The awareness, the information, and protocols is so much better now for teams to follow.”
Dylan Robertson, the Lakers’ leading scorer so far this season with 31 points, missed three games last month dealing with post-concussion syndrome.
“It was my first [concussion] and it was kind of a strange play,” Robertson recalled.
“I took a hit, my helmet came off, and then I got hit into the glass and blacked out.
“I went to practice the next day and wasn’t feeling like myself. . . .
“The thing is, I’ve been hit a lot worse than that,” he said.
While Robertson said he’s a little more aware of what’s going on around him since his return, he’s not interested in changing how he plays the game.
“You don’t want to play scared because that’s when you will get hurt out there,” he reasoned.
“Players were told 20 years ago to suck it up and get back out there,” added Robertson.
“But 20 and 30 years from now, you want to be able to think for yourself.
“With today’s research, it’s proven that one week off to recuperate is better than not staying out, and then years down the road you can’t think straight,” he said.
