A hit delivered by Alex Ovechkin to New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau caught the attention of a prominent brain injury specialist, who was shocked to see Pageau return to action.
Killing off a penalty midway through the second period, Pageau chased a puck to the left corner where he wound up and took a slapshot, clearing the puck. Following him to the corner out of his sightline, however, was Ovechkin, who delivered a crushing hit to Pageau, contacting his head — which then struck the glass as Pageau completed his follow-through. As the Islanders’ own website described the play in their 4-3 loss to Washington, “a hit by Alex Ovechkin chased Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the dressing room…and the Caps scored twice in a 3:07 span before Pageau could rejoin the game.”
Following the hit, which was not assessed a penalty, Pageau was visibly unable to stand without assistance from teammate Noah Dobson, wobbling off balance in distress.
According to leading brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) specialist Dr. Chris Nowinski, the founding CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Pageau’s response showed clear signs of brain trauma. While the injury was troubling, Nowinski was equally shocked that Pageau was cleared to return to action in the game, and called on NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to review the league’s concussion and head trauma protocols.
Ataxia is a condition described by a lack of muscle control causing clumsy and uncoordinated movements, much like Pageau’s wobbly attempts to stand. Ataxia impacts balance, eye movement, and coordination, and can be a direct result of damage to the brain’s cerebellum.
When asked about their commitment to player safety, an NHL spokesperson provided the following statement to Yahoo Sports.
“Over the past 25 years-plus, the League has had an unwavering commitment to enhancing player safety,” the NHL spokesperson wrote.
“That commitment has included a focus on player education; dozens of changes to the playing rules (e.g., Rule 48 – Illegal Check to the Head; adoption of hybrid icing; and stricter standards regarding hits from behind and boarding, interference, slashing and cross-checking); numerous changes to player equipment (e.g., softening of shoulder and elbow pads, mandating visor use, independent testing of helmets); and changes to the playing environment (e.g., softening of the glass,…