NOJHL first to adopt Concussion Safety Program in CJHL

Press Release

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Board of Directors has voted unanimously to adopt and implement a nationally recognized Concussion Safety Program that will be administered and Managed by Dr. Michael Czarnota. The program will be introduced this September for the 2011-2012 Hockey Season.

This Program will provide education, information and neurocognitive testing with ImPACT to treat and manage concussions more effectively. With the technology and expertise Dr. Czarnota offers we will raise the standard of care for our athletes and better determine when to return a player to the ice. His experience with athletes of all ages and skill levels will bring an invaluable addition to the effective diagnosis, treatment and safe return to play of the concussed NOJHL athlete.

“I am glad to be a partner with the NOJHL and its efforts to both improve and preserve the health and safety of its athletes. The NOJHL deserves full credit for being proactive and for taking meaningful steps to address the issue of concussion in Junior A ice hockey,“ says Dr. Michael Czarnota.

NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca says, “The decision to implement the Concussion Safety Program speaks to the degree of how this league views player safety, player safety in the NOJHL is paramount.

Mazzuca further adds, “ The best development league in the world, the Ontario Hockey League(OHL), currently uses Dr. Czarnota and this program, and we are fortunate enough to have their leadership on the issue of player safety”.

“Concussion safety is certainly at the top of the radar screen in today's game. I salute and congratulate Commissioner Rob Mazzuca and the NOJHL for recognizing the importance of this concern and especially for spear-heading this initiative into their Junior "A" program. To have Dr. Michael Czarnota involved will give credibility and a tremendous boost to the program. I am very proud to be a former Commissioner of the league," says Vice Chairman of Hockey Canada Joe Drago.

Bob Nicholson President/CEO of Hockey Canada would like to applaud the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League board of directors on hiring Michael Czarnota and the program on concussion safety program (Impact) , this puts the players safety first and this is great message to players , coaches , administrators and fans in their league.

Mazzuca further stated “there are other further improvements that the Board of Directors of the NOJHL will be introducing to enhance the experience of the player and the reputation of the NOJHL and more information will follow shortly”.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)