CONCUSSION PROCESS

North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association (NVMHA) is a community-based, amateur, youth ice hockey association committed to maintaining and building on its reputation of delivering safe and supportive hockey programs in North Vancouver.

As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our players, NVMHA has engaged with Complete Concussions (CCMI) and Kids Physio to develop and implement a comprehensive concussion process that includes online education for parents/guardians, baseline test options for players, digital tracking of concussion injuries, and clear return-to-play communication. Through this process, NVMHA can support our players in returning to play safely.

Below is the step-by-step process. Step 1 should be completed by October 15^th annually and Steps 2 and 3 should be completed by November 1^st annually.

STEP 1: Education

All Team Officials and at least one parent/guardian for each player are to complete the CCMI Sideline Course by October 15^th annually. There is no cost for the course; it should take between 45-60 minutes to complete.

We encourage players to join their parent/guardian during this course to learn about concussions, how to recognize them, and how to manage them.

To complete the course:

Log in to the previous account or create a new account
Register for the Sideline Course using Discount code: nvmha24
Follow the instructions for completing the course online.

Note: You can move to Steps 2 and 3 while you complete the course

Action Item: Upon completion, send a copy of your Certificate of Completion to your player’s Team Manager.

Raffle Prize: Your player’s team will be entered to win the NVMHA raffle prize after at least one parent/guardian for each player has completed and send a copy of their certificate to their Team Manager.

STEP 2: Download App

At least one parent/guardian for each player should download the free Concussion Tracker App and create an account.

Once you have downloaded the App and created an account, you can add your player(s):

Add an existing account if the player(s) in your family already have a CCMI account from a previous baseline test or injury; or
Add a new family member profile for the player(s) in your family who do not have a previous CCMI account.

STEP 3: Baseline Testing

Baseline Testing is a series of physical and cognitive tests that provides a pre-injury overview of healthy brain function. It can include reaction time, grip strength, balance testing, memory, and eye tracking.

Baseline Testing provides objective data that compares your player to themselves at the beginning of the season. Without a baseline, it can be challenging to determine when the player is back to their “normal”.

Baseline Testing gives the physiotherapist, coach, and parents/guardians the confidence to allow the player to return to play safely.

All players in U11+ must complete a baseline test by November 1st annually.

You can choose one of the following for your player:

Option 1: Basic DuoModal

Complete at home, on the Concussion Tracking App on your smartphone

1) Balance Test – Postural Sway

2) Neurocognitive Test – DANA Test

Option 2: Comprehensive Multimodal

This is a series of multimodal tests designed to evaluate various areas of brain function, including memory and attention, balance and coordination, visual processing, reaction time, and neurocognitive testing.

Completed in-clinic by physiotherapists;
Additional cost to families; may be covered by extended health benefits.

Note: This option may provide an added layer of safety for high-risk athletes, including those with a prior history of concussions, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, diagnosed depression/anxiety/sleep disturbances or other medical conditions.

NVMHA has partnered with Kids Physio Group for members that choose to complete the Comprehensive Multimodal testing at a discounted rate; however, members may select another provider to complete comprehensive multimodal testing.

Team baseline days are available on the following Sundays this fall.

Sun, Sept 22
Sun, Oct 20
Sun, Nov 3

Book testing using the affiliate link and select Concussion Baseline Test - Team Rate for the discount.

Book Testing Now

STEP 4: Commitment to Safety

Support player well-being

If a concussion is suspected, whether occurring as a part of NVMHA or otherwise, the athlete should be removed immediately from all training and/or competition and should not be permitted to return until cleared by their physician or a Complete Concussions practitioner.

All suspected concussions should see either their primary care physician or a trained concussion specialist (physiotherapist) as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and begin the Return-to-Sport process. NVMHA has partnered with Kids Physio Group, a certified CCMI clinic; however, members can choose to see any trained concussion specialist.

If any red flags are suspected, the player should immediately visit the nearest emergency department.

What are the long-term effects of multiple concussions?

The most recent research suggests that there is no cumulative effect as long as a full recovery is made between concussions.

Supporting Player Well-Being

Concussion education will help to ensure players do not return to sport before they are fully ready which helps to prevent cumulative effects.

It is key to support our players in reporting their concussions - reporting is a major issue for many reasons (personal feelings, not wanting to let the team/coaches down, etc.)

NOTE: Digital Reporting will be rolled out with rep teams this season. Stay tuned for more information after your player is placed on a team.

The appropriate, evidence-based management for returning a concussed player back to sport and other high-risk activity is done by completing the following steps in a closely supervised manner with a healthcare professional with training and experience in the management of sport related concussions.

Each stage must be separated by at least 24 hours and the player must not experience an increase in symptoms at any one stage in order to progress to the next stage. If symptoms increase at any stage, the player is to drop back to the previous stage for a period of 24 hours prior to attempting the next stage again.

Following Hockey Canada's recommendations, NVMHA has formed a collaborative partnership with Complete Concussions as they are the leaders in concussion management for amateur and professional sports associations. All protocols and stages are based on the most current scientific research and this process has been enacted to help keep our players safe. This process is subject to revisions as new research emerges.