Sportsnet.ca columnist Jim Lang received a question from a reader this week about headshots in hockey. In his reply, published at http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/03/29/lang_mailbag_headshots/, Lang mentions The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet when discussing how equipment changes can help address the issue of concussion in hockey.

Lang writes: “Don Cherry is right when he says it is time to do away with the hard cap elbow pads and football type shoulder pads. You are not going to make smaller and slower athletes. But you can make equipment that will do less damage when the inevitable collisions take place. The league should also take a closer look at Mark Messier’s proposal for a new helmet design that he feels will help reduce concussions. Something has to be done for the good of the NHL. We all love the game too much to see all these great players missing so much time with concussions.”

Congratulations to the South Shore Kings, members of The Messier Project, on their Pee Wee Minor AAA Elite 2010 Division Championship. The South Shore Kings, coached by Tony Amonte and Marty McInnis, wore the M11 en route to their second consecutive division championship.

Following the dangerous hit to Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins and the NHL GM’s vote to recommended a rule change that would take action against blindside hits to the head with a penalty, The Messier Project and the M11 were in the news as part of the continued conversation on better head protection in hockey.

In Brad Kurtzberg’s article for The Huffington Post, the M11 is listed as one of five changes the writer suggests the League should make right now to help limit blows to the head. In the article, Kurtzberg recommends that the League should “work with Messier and other manufacturers to maximize the protection helmets can provide for hockey players so that when their heads do hit the ice or get hit by another player, there is less damage to the brain.” To read the full article at The Huffington Post, visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-kurtzberg/cooke-hit-on-savard-adds_b_490850.html.

In an article entitled “NHL may be poised to curb concussions,” sportswriter Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer writes that in regards to head injury the “chief protection is the helmet, and advanced technology has made for safer equipment,” mentioning the M11 and Aaron Ward. According to Alexander, Ward, who was recently traded from Carolina to Anaheim, “said he has had two major concussions and believes the M11 prevented a third this season.” “I credit it with keeping me on the ice,” Ward told Alexander. “And at 36, at this stage of my career, it’s a matter of leaving the game with the sum of the parts.” To read the full article from The News & Observer, visit: http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/52050.

In Canada, TSN quotes Mark Messier, who shared his thoughts on the head shot debate and discussed how the game has changed since he played in his 80’s and 90’s heydey. To read the full article and The Captain’s thoughts on the issue, visit: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=313104.

The Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament was everything it was built up to be – the hockey was top notch, the stories were compelling and the drama was spellbinding.

In the end, the second-seeded team of Edina won their 10th title and first in more than 10 years over the top-seeded (and top-ranked) team of Minnetonka. Although the Minnetonka Skippers – members of The Evolved – were favored, Edina shut them down with a balanced attack and relentless pressure to win, 4-2. The Hornets opened up a 4-0 lead over Minnetonka, who had to play into four overtimes – and the next morning – in their semifinal game the night before.

The M11 and The Messier Project were the talk of the tournament. There was a resounding buzz throughout the “Let’s Play Hockey” Expo of people wanting to learn more and be a part of the evolution. The Messier Project booth was nearly always full, further proof that Minnesota and its great hockey culture will continue to be trailblazers in The Messier Project’s mission to address the issue of concussion in hockey.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches and teams on an excellent tournament!

Minnetonka and Hill-Murray — both members of The Messier Project — have advanced in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. Best of luck to both teams throughout the rest of the tournament!

Congratulations to Avon Old Farms — members of The Messier Project — for winning the New England Division I Prep Championship! The team wore the M11 helmet throughout the tournament.

The St. Francis Xavier University women’s ice hockey team has joined The Messier Project as the team will now wear the M11. Best of luck to the X-Women this season!

NHL veteran Aaron Ward — a member of The Messier Project — was recently traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Anaheim Ducks, just before the League’s trade deadline. Ward will continue to wear the M11 on his new team. Best of luck to Aaron in Anaheim!