by Andy McInnes, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

AUCKLAND, NZ. — With the Ice Hockey Classic coming to a close down here in New Zealand and Australia, I’d like to share a bit more about the cause that this wonderful series was promoting. That is the Stop Concussions Foundation.

As more and more research is carried out on concussions and traumatic brain injuries (tbi’s) we are becoming more aware and better educated about the effects of these injuries. They most certainly should not be treated lightly, and require the utmost care and treatment.

Kerry Goulet, the organiser of the Ice Hockey Classic, founded Stop Concussions with former NHL players Keith and Wayne Primeau. Keith happens to be the father of Montreal Canadiens prospect Cayden Primeau. Prior to retiring from the game, Goulet plied his ice hockey career in Western Canada and Germany.

Goulet and Keith Primeau were diagnosed with concussions during their playing careers. Keith was eventually forced to retire as a result of his injury. As well as founding Stop Concussions the two have also written a book Concussed!: Sports-Related Head Injuries: Prevention, Coping and Real Stories. It is on my ‘must read’ list of books.

I had the pleasure of meeting Goulet prior to the Ice Hockey Classic in Auckland. His passion for the game was obvious, and his passion for StopConcussions Foundation and the work they do simply enthralled me.

Following his multiple diagnosed concussions, Goulet told me that he found himself in a very dark place. Playing in the days when concussions were readily dismissed, players  themselves felt that they couldn’t let their teammates, coaches and fans down. Players were told to ‘suck it up’ and felt that they had to get on with playing the game.

Injured players dismissed their own head trauma and headed back to the ice oblivious to what their bodies were enduring. Goulet explained that he received no support at the time of his injuries, mainly because people did not have the medical knowledge that we have today.

Eventually Goulet spiralled into a depression suffering feelings of frustration, guilt, and loneliness. Although he had no plans of suicide, he did have suicidal thoughts during this dark time in his life. He was admitted to a psychiatric ward in hospital for two days and given a course of medication to get him through this difficult time.

Goulet said that he couldn’t fend or care for himself properly. At the time, the only thing he could do was play hockey. He felt completely numb. These feelings and symptoms lasted for approximately eighteen months, it must have felt like a lifetime.

Goulet recalls his father having to accompany him on a flight to Germany as he was unable to make the trip alone. Kerry believed that he was fortunate as he didn’t turn to alcohol or drugs which could have exacerbated his situation.

This period of his life led Goulet to giving something back to the ice hockey community. The Stop Concussions foundation educates and spreads awareness of the injury. It supports research and promotes prevention of concussions through its Safe4Sports Prevention Program. Their objective is not to change the games, but to help change the mindset of the sports, and to make sports safer for all individuals.

I observed Goulet as he greeted guests and sponsors to the Classic and found him to be a very charismatic and passionate man who had time for everyone. He stopped for photos with fans and even went outside of the arena to mingle with fans as they waited patiently to get inside. Kerry was also very hands on even taking time to move the goals to allow the Zamboni onto the ice.

I chatted with one of Goulet’s team of volunteers who has worked closely with him for the whole seven years of the Ice Hockey Classic. She confirmed what I had already observed, Kerry had time for everyone. She also said that Goulet has been known to welcome players experiencing post concussion symptoms into his home until they can get the support that they need.

As well as supporting the StopConcussions Foundation, the Ice Hockey Classic is designed to entertain, grow the game of hockey in Australia and New Zealand, and of course to raise awareness of concussions. I think it’s fair to say that we all want our friends and loved ones to be safe no matter their choice of sport. As Goulet said, “fractures can heal, damaged brains cannot.”

For the record the series resulted in a 3-2 win for the USA team but I believe that’s secondary to the promotion of the game and the StopConcussions Foundation. Thanks to Goulet and his team for the opportunity to support this great cause and for the entertainment that we witnessed.

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