Concussions, of any kind, especially in young athletes, are of great concern to Dale Donaldson of Mallard’s Source for Sports. That’s why Mallard’s Source for Sports is partnering with fellow stores across Canada to donate proceeds from all skates sharpened this Saturday to stopconcussions.com.
Stopconcussions.com is a concussion/neurotrauma awareness group that deals with the growing trend of concussions in all sports.
Led by former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau, the goal of stopconcussions.com is to educate players, coaches, trainers and parents involved in any sport, about concussion prevention, identification and proper treatment.
Primeau suffers from post-concussion syndrome, and has been a vocal proponent of bringing the seriousness of concussions to the forefront.
More than 5,000 pairs of skates are expected to be sharpened on October 19 across Canada at Source For Sports locations. As an added benefit, Mallard’s Source For Sports wants hockey parents to bring their sons and daughters into the store along with their current helmets for a free fit test.
“We will be happy to check the fit and condition of their existing helmet at no charge,” Donaldson says. “There are many kids playing hockey with poorly fitting helmets and cages and we want to be sure that young players are as safe as possible on the ice. Remember, the right helmet is the one that fits the best.”
Staff will also be handing out stopconcussions.com brochures to educate the public about concussion awareness and prevention.
Mallard’s Source for Sports is located in Nelson and Castlegar and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.