Columnist Mark Ritter of The Bleacher Report weighs in on how to “solve the concussion issue in hockey.” In the piece, Ritter mentions the M11 and Mark’s efforts on behalf of The Messier Project.

He writes: “Far too many NHL players have had their careers cut short by concussions, and while not the only reason, poor helmet choice is a factor for many players. Again, if a piece of equipment can protect you from a career-ending injury such as a concussion, then why not make it mandatory.”

To read the full article, visit: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/306063-analyze-this-how-to-improve-the-nhl.

On the Hockey Wilderness blog, a fan site for the Minnesota Wild, the M11 is highlighted as one of the many ways concussions are now being addressed in the sport. The writer states: “Count me in as a proponent of making this helmet mandatory” as it “could save careers.”

To view the post, visit: http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2009/12/10/1193729/want-to-solve-the-concussion-issue.

As coverage following the recent study on Reggie Fleming continues, Chicago Now.com has posted an article that includes The Messier Project and the M11 as a positive step in addressing the issue of concussion in hockey. To read the full post on the “Call of the Wild” blog, visit: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-wolves-call-of-the-wild/2009/12/blackhawk-great-reggie-fleming-cause-of-death–chronic-traumatic-encephalopathly.html.

The December 2009 issue of the New England Hockey Journal features an article on the NHL GM’s forming a seven-member committee to sort through the many issues related to hits to the heads. Entitled, “Using Your Head,” the piece by Kevin Paul Dupont, also of the Boston Globe, discusses how Mark Messier has “invested a lot of time and energy in designing a better hockey helmet.” As Dupont writes: “Good on him. Players need better helmets, especially now…”

To read the full article, visit: http://www.hockeyjournal.com/Article.php?ArtID=1000173.

In a new poll compiled by a “blue-ribbon panel of CBC Sports executives, producers, broadcasters and writers,” CBC Sports has named Mark Messier one of the 25 most influential figures on the Canadian sports scene in 2009. Tied with Richard Peddie, CEO and president, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, for the 19th spot on the list, Mark is honored for his work to address concussion in hockey and the launch of the M11.

For the full article, visit: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2009/12/27/furlong-mostinfluential.html.

As you may have already read, a new study by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, published last week, asserts that Reggie Fleming, a deceased professional hockey player, suffered brain damage associated with repeated head trauma. As written in The New York Times, these findings connect hockey “for the first time to health risks linked to boxers and, most recently, football players.”

There has been a great amount of coverage on these findings in the U.S. and Canadian media. Mark Messier and the M11 are mentioned in some of this coverage as addressing the issue of concussion in hockey. Links to an article on The Sporting News Blog and to an editorial in the Toronto Globe & Mail follow.

The Sporting News Blog:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/48137/former_nhl_players_brain_linked_to_trauma_damage

Toronto Globe & Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/requiem-for-reg-fleming/article1406388/

Sportswriter Jim Christie of the Toronto Globe & Mail has written an excellent story on The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet entitled “Building a Better Helmet.” The feature, which includes an in-depth interview with Mark Messier and special graphics, discusses the M11 and “using technology to improve head gear” as the “next frontier in reducing concussions.”

To read the full article, which first ran in the paper on Friday, December 18th, visit: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/building-a-better-helmet/article1404836/.

As a follow-up to the article, Mark Messier will participate in an online Q&A with readers and fans via the Globe & Mail website on Monday. You can follow this link to submit your questions: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/messier-takes-your-questions/article1406330/.

Hockey blogger Lulu Brown posted a great item to her site on The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet following the NHL GM meetings in Toronto. In her weekly “Sports & Science” feature on her “Hockey is My Boyfriend” blog, Brown offered some great — and fun — commentary on the technology of the M11 and mission of The Messier Project.

Here’s an excerpt:

“The helmet actually looks pretty cool… It turns out it’s rather traditional, but not traditional in the sense that it looks like Esa Tikkanen’s old school Joffa helmet… The Mono 90™ Shell Design is supposed to make the helmet lighter and streamlined, stronger, while reducing direct energy transfer, and provides vents for air flow…. Sounds pretty good right? You want a helmet that’s lightweight; not one that’s as heavy as a park character in Disney, but you also want one that’s strong and can absorb a hit from your oppositions biggest goon… Is the helmet perfect? I don’t know, but it sure sounds like a good start…. Keep an eye out on your favorite hockey players. We might see a lot more of this in the future.”

Be sure to check out the full post.