NHL Email Dump

Ew: Injury Analysis Panel Gary Bettman to: Bill Daly, jgrand (09/10/2005 05:41 PM let's discuss. -- Forwarded by Gary Bettman/NYC/NHL on 09/10/2005 05:37 PM —- “Terry Kane" To: < ce: SC. osrtor20s 03:53pm Subject: FW: Injury Analysis Panel Mr. Commissioner; My name is Terry Kane, and for the past number of years I consulted to the NHL through Bill Daly and Julie Grand on injury surveillance data and to the injury analysis panel. Although the data has been used extensively by the Injury Analysis Panel to advance injury prevention strategies such as boards-glass configurations to reduce the incidence of impact related injuries (ie; concussions), I know that your office has used this data first hand to reply to media queries on man-games-lost (NHLPA greivance from Sports Illustrated), concussions {annual address at All Star games) as well the incidence of specific injuries such as Trent NcCleary's throat laceration and eye injuries. 1 don't think there is any argument that the data we've provided to you has added objectivity and credibility to your position as well as supported the efforts of your office to improve hockey safety. In addition to the data, the advent of the injury analysis panel has earned the NHL as the leader in all professional sports safety. As somecne who was hired by Bill and gulle to straighten out the injury surveillance system, I'm proud of the work we accomplished at raising the level of data accuracy to the point where all stakeholders on both sides of the table (NHL / NHLPA), were confident in the data and able to move forward collectively on a number of projects. This data was then used to not only focus injury prevention strategies but also to monitor them. Based on the tremendous goodwill that you and the NHL earned for the panel and surveillance system, it was with great surprise to learn of the league's decision to discontinue both projects. (Not to be sarcastic, but even General Motors has an occupational health and safety program) If only for the optics, the decision of the league to discontinue both projects without any replacement certainly draws into question the sincerity of the league's efforts and the commitmment of the league to player health and safety. ‘The reason for this email is draw to your attention that I think the decision was premature and that I expect that once this information leaks out, you alone will be put on the hotseat to explain how disbanding both projects demonstrates a commitment to player health and safety. It will also likely raise the more cynical and potentially damaging question from hawks like Sports Illustrated; ‘What benefit does the league have in dishanding both projects when every other sports body is looking to expand preventative strategies? I appreciate that my comments are suicidal to any aspirations I may have had NHLOS16419to continue working for the league, however my commitment to the individuals who Worked so hard on your behalf as well as the players who looked to us to ensure their health and safety clearly takes precedent. I apologize for bothering you, however I wanted to make suze you made the most informed decision possible. I've included the text of an email sent to injury analysis panel yesterday as well as a proposal that was sent to Bill and Julie on a revised and smaller scale injury prevention committee on August 6th of this year. Thank you for your time. I assure you that I will never email you at this address again. Terry Kane “original Message~ From: Terry Kane [mailto:terry@terrykane.ca] Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 10:36 AM To: JGrand@nhl.com; jgregory@nhl.com; KKing@nhl. com; ddryden28@sympatico.ca; DO'Halloran@nhl.com; DSchachte@nhl. com; slarmerénhlpa.com; bbenson@ucalgary.ca; wallyt@caneshockey.com; barry-henson@turner.com; kevlowe@edmontonoilers.com; ak2parker@msn.com; bdaly@nhl.com; brennanm@flpanthers.com; burkecj@nsx.upme.edu; deraig@nhl.com; Fcorsi@savviscenter.net; geomcphee@acl. com; ipulvertnhipa.com; jim. ramsay@thegarden.com; jpagotto@thehockeyco. com; martin] @ottawasenators.com; meeuwiss@ucalgary.cay MMurphy@nhl.com; powell} 4@msu.edu; rbarile@stlblues.com; msupino@nhl.com Subject RE: Injury Analysis Panel Dear All; T would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me personally in my capacity with the NHL Injury Surveillance system (known as SIMS). When history recalls the work of the Injury Analysis Panel, I think two things will always be remembered. The first is the outstanding leadership of Dave Dryden and the extent to which he sought to make the most informed recommendations to the league on every issue, NOT necessarily the most convienent reconmendations. After working in sports medicine for over twenty years, I have never met anyone with the skills of Dave Dryden to make everyone feel as those their opinion was important and valued. The second item, will be the evolution of the injury surveillance system data to provide the league and panel members with accurate and audited objective data to focus and monitor injury prevention strategies. As a case in point, it was through the work of the trainers in inputing SIMS data that the panel was able to move forward to change boards-glass configurations because the ‘facts’ supported the ‘opinions’ of the players and others. IT don't mind saying that the league's decision to discontinue both the panel and the injury surveillance system raises a concern on my part over the League's commitment to injury prevention, player health and safety as well fas recognizing the time and energy that has been spent by all of us in making the panel the most respected in all professional sports. I appreciate these comments are suicidal for any career aspirations I may have had within the NHL, however I'm at a big loss to understand how discontinuing the most respected injury panel and injury surveillance system in all professional sports actually improves player health and safety in one NHLOS16420of the most physically demanding sports in the world? If you have any comments please feel free to help educate me on what I might be missing. In conclusion I would once again like to thank you all for your help over the years. It has been an honor to learn from you and to have been a part of such a great group. I wish you all the best! Terry Kane Tel (403) 263-3113 www. terrykane.ca -original Message~ From: JGrand@nhl.com [mailto:JGrand@nbl. com) Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 8:07 AM To: jgregory@nhl.com; KKing@nhl.com; ddryden28@sympatico.cay DO'Halloran@nhl.com; DSchachte@nhl.com; slarmer@nhlpa.coms phenson@ucalgary.ca? wallyt@caneshockey.com; barry-henson@turner. coms Kevlowe@edmontonoilers.comj ak2parker@msn.com; bdaly@nhl. com) brennanm@flpanthers.com; burkec}@msx-upmc.edu; deraig@nhl.com; Foorsi@savviscenter.net; geomcphee@aol.com; ipulverdnhlpa. com, jim, ramsay@thegarden.com; jpagotto@thehockeyco.com; JGrand@nhl. com: hartin]@ottawasenators.com mecuwiss@ucalgary.ca; MMurphy@nhl. com; powell} 4@msu.edu; rbarile@stlblues.com; msupino@nhl.com; terry@terrykane.ca Subject: Injury Analysis Panel Please see the attached memorandum. (See attached file: 2005.06 Injury Analysis Panel.doc) NHL Injay Prevention Committe pd NHLOS16421

NHL Email Dump

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