The Prince George Spruce Kings, along with the rest of the British Columbia Hockey League, is now in the second year of a partnership with HeadCheck Health.
HeadCheck’s app allows team trainers and athletic therapists to document and assess suspected concussions.
“It’s a really good tracking system and I think it standardizes the league,” said Spruce Kings Head Coach Adam Maglio.
“Within the team, we can track a player’s concussion history whether they’re with the team for one, two, three, four years, whatever that may be.”
PG has been lucky in Maglio’s tenure as coach, not having any player sustaining a serious head injury or concussion. If the situation were to arise, however, he said the key is communication.
“We just tell our guys to be honest with themselves and be honest with us how they are feeling, that’s how we can provide help and get help,” Maglio explains.
“It’s just that open line of communication, we always err on the side of caution.”
On top of the software, the BCHL was supplied with monthly reporting from HeadCheck in an effort to identify any gaps in their concussion policy. Regular information sessions and 24/7 customer support were available to ensure the league was using the software properly and to its fullest potential. Partner clinics gained access to HeadCheck to help facilitate better treatment, as well as a return-to-play and medical clearance process.
“HeadCheck allowed our teams to conduct more efficient sideline testing and helped raise the level of care provided to our players,” said Trevor Alto, BCHL Executive Director, in a statement.
“The nationwide adoption of the software by the [Canadian Junior Hockey League] will facilitate communication between leagues when players are transferred.”
HeadCheck is used as the primary concussion management tool for over 400 organizations across North America.
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