OTTAWA – Bauer used the NHL All-Star weekend to unveil new a hockey helmet designed to defuse the type of force proven to cause head injuries like concussions.
The announcement came as the NHL’s heroes – with one notable exception – descended upon Ottawa. Superstar Sidney Crosby has been sidelined for weeks as he struggles to recover from a concussion suffered last season.
The prototype pushes past the current Canadian safety standards by using a design that accounts for what scientists call rotational-force impacts.
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Rotational force refers to blows which push the head off its centre of gravity. Current standards focus on linear impacts, which are more like a head-on collision, as well as the prevention of cuts, bruises and skull fracture. Scientific studies are consistently showing that rotational force is a major factor in concussions.
The helmet, dubbed, RE-AKT, looks like the headgear that the NHL superstars already use. The secret weapon is inside – a foam that dissipates extreme force on impact. The foam liner floats freely within the helmet so it can adjust to force.
While Bauer is quick to say the helmet can’t prevent all concussions, they are confident it will help deal with rotational force impacts.
Already NHL stars are donning the new gear. Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightening and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals will all start wearing the helmet this season.
The helmet will hit the market in May and can be picked up for $220.
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