Parachute encourages Canadians to play SMART hockey

Concussion awareness and education are key to preventing injuries and enjoying the game

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - For many Canadians, fall means hockey season kicks off again. As families get ready for a season of practices and games and players lace up their skates, Parachute is encouraging everyone to play smart hockey.

Hockey is a popular sport with over 1 million children playing every year.  Preventing injuries like concussions is important to parents, coaches and players.

Parachute wants to stop the clock on these preventable injuries and ensure Canadians can safely enjoy Canada's national pastime.

With its Smart Hockey program and Smart Hockey Concussion Kit, Parachute is giving families, players and coaches tools to identify possible physical, cognitive and emotional changes a head injury can cause.

"We want players to enjoy hockey, but play it smart," said Louise Logan, Parachute's President and CEO. "Equipping Canadian families and coaches with the tools and resources to keep players safe is the first step in playing smart hockey."

Two-time Olympic champion ice hockey player, Cassie Campbell-Pascall understands the impact of concussions first-hand, having suffered from several throughout her career, including one that had her sidelined for seven months.

"Safety and playing sports go hand in hand," says Campbell-Pascall. "Recognition of concussion signs and symptoms are one of the first steps in playing smart hockey. Parachute's Smart Hockey program and Smart Hockey Concussion Kit are great tools for parents, coaches and players to be aware and educated on how to prevent concussions."

Parachute's Smart Hockey resources are free and available online, including:

• Parachute's ThinkFirst Smart Hockey video, featuring personal stories from professional hockey players such as John Tavares, Tessa Bonhomme, Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Myers, and Caroline Ouelette. The video highlights potential dangers on the ice and provides quick tips for players on how to protect the most important part of their body – the brain.
  
• Parachute's Smart Hockey Concussion Kit, which provides an easy to follow guide and concussion information and resource materials.

Parachute's Smart Hockey program and resource materials are supported by Scotiabank.

Parachute is a national charity helping Canadians stop the clock on preventable injuries. The injury impact is staggering. Preventable injuries are the #1 killer of children. They cost the Canadian economy $27B a year, and worst of all, one child dies every nine hours. Through education, knowledge and empowerment, Parachute is working to save lives and create an injury-free Canada. For information, visit us at parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Facebook.

SOURCE Parachute

Jennifer Gonsalves-Teixeira, Parachute, 647 776-5134, [email protected]