USA Hockey Magazine

June/July 2013

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Ahead of theGame By Joe Sager Pittsburgh Stands At The Forefront Of Concussion Research ver the past 30 years Pittsburgh, has emerged as one of the country's top hockey cities. With three Stanley Cups and superstars such as Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin calling Pittsburgh home, the Penguins have fueled the 'Burgh's hockey boom. However, Pittsburgh has risen to the top of the list when it comes to brain injuries – specifically concussions. That's been both a curse and a blessing for the region. A concussion suffered during the 2011 NHL Winter Classic and its ensuing symptoms kept Crosby off the ice for more than 10 months. However, he was fortunate to play in a city that is home to the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, one of the top such programs in the nation, treating more than 18,000 patients annually. While concussions and brain injuries are nothing new, Crosby's injury catapulted it to the regional and national forefront. Other Penguins have missed time with concussions as well, including Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang, James Neal and Malkin. Penguins General Manager Ray Shero 18 June/July. 2013 counts himself as one of many who have gained a greater awareness of such injuries, especially after one of his sons suffered a concussion in a youth hockey game. "I've seen both sides – professionally and personally," Shero said. "I hadn't gone through that as a parent, before. It's a difficult injury. When you're dealing with high school kids, you see how it impacts their daily life, schooling and social life. Sports are just one aspect, and a small aspect at that. "Through UPMC and Dr. Micky Collins [the director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program], I have learned a lot about this injury over the last year," Shero added. "It's a manageable injury, but the more you can recognize the It's a difficult injury. When you're dealing with high school kids, you see how it impacts their daily life, schooling and social life. Sports are just one aspect, and a small aspect at that. USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM — Ray Shero, Penguins General Manager Photos By Getty Images; TSS Photography; UPMC (2)

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