Concussion in youth hockey.

ulation: analysis of reports to the Danish Medicines Agency over a decade. In his article on concussion in youth hockey, " Johnson writes that " Crosby has a lot of company in the NHL [National Hockey League], where the number of concussions doubled in the 2010/11 season, " 1 citing a reference to www.nhl.com. 2 This is in error. The cited article does not say that. In fact, NHL Commissioner Gary Bett-man is reported to have handled the question of number of concussions this season as follows: " Bettman declined to reveal any numbers regarding the number of concussions sustained this season or what percentage they have risen to. " 2 Another NHL release reports: " Accidental concussions have nearly doubled this season from last season. In 2010– 11, NHL Hockey Operations has determined that 26% percent of the League's reported concussions were the result of accidents. According to the terms of the study, accidental concussions involve a hit from a teammate, a trip or fall (not caused by an opponent), being struck by a puck or an inadvertent collision with an opponent. " 3 The NHL has reported that 26% of concussions for this season are accidental, 44% legal, 17% illegal, and 8% fight-related; the remaining 5% are undefined because no videos of the incidents exist. 4 Johnson appears to be confused by this breakdown and the reporting of concussions by the NHL. I can find no report of the actual number of concussions for the 2010–2011 NHL season. I ask why " Bettman declined to reveal any numbers regarding the number of concussions sustained this season. " 2 References 1. Johnson LSM. Concussion in youth ice hockey: It's time to break the cycle. I believe the issue raised by Dr. Rhine would benefit from some clarification. Although the NHL declines to release figures on the number of concussions , it acknowledges that concussions are " on the rise " in the 2010– 2011 season. 1 The league attributes the increase to accidental hits, which account for 26% of concussions. 2 The number of concussions attributed to accidental hits in the 2010–2011 season nearly doubled from the previous season. 2 Legal hits account for 44% of reported concussions in the 2010–2011 season. In submitting a letter, you automatically consent to have it appear online and/or in print. All letters accepted for print will be edited by CMAJ for space …