NHL to Implement Changes to Concussion Protocol in 2016-17 Season

The National Hockey League is reportedly set to announce changes to its concussion protocol before the start of the 2016-17 season in October. 

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on Sept. 9 the most notable change will be the addition of four "Central Spotters." They will be tasked with watching games on television and making contact with teams if they see a player showing signs of a possible concussion.

Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reported Wednesday that the new spotters will also have the power to eject a player from a game.

Spotters had already existed in each arena during games, but they were affiliated with their respective teams. The new trainers will be independent. Full details about how the entire system will work are expected closer to opening night, according to the Sportsnet report.

Word of the alterations to the NHL's approach to combating head injuries comes a day after the National Football League came under fire for a perceived failure to implement its own policy after Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took multiple shots to the head in a loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday.

Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports passed along a statement from the NFL about the situation Friday:

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There was communication between medical personnel on the Carolina sideline, including the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and the two independent certified athletic trainer spotters in the booth. During stoppage in play while on-field officials were in the process of administrating penalties, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant and team physician requested video from the spotters and reviewed the play. They concluded there were no indications of a concussion that would require further evaluation and the removal of the player.

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The NHL dealt with its own protocol problems last season.

Friedman noted Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman refused a request by the in-arena spotter to leave the game after suffering a big hit. He had cross-checked linesman Don Henderson on his way to the bench after the hit and later received a 10-game suspension.

Ken Campbell of the Hockey News reported in February that Wideman later admitted during his disciplinary hearing that he suffered a concussion on the play.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman denied a link between concussions and the degenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as recently as July. John Branch of the New York Times provided a portion of a letter he sent to United States Senator Richard Blumenthal on the subject: "The science regarding CTE, including on the asserted 'link' to concussions that you reference, remains nascent, particularly with respect to what causes CTE and whether it can be diagnosed by specific clinical symptoms."

Meanwhile, Alex Dobuzinskis of Reuters reported in May a U.S. District Judge in Minnesota allowed a class-action lawsuit brought forward by retired players who state the league didn't protect them from head injuries and didn't alert them of the possible health impacts to move forward.