Wildcats switch to soft pads to fight head injuries

A New Brunswick hockey team is switching to softer padding to try and reduce head injuries.

Jordan Landry, the team's equipment manager, hopes the new gear will cut down on head injuries.

"Most of the injuries are being caused when the shoulder is coming in contact with the jaw, which is causing the concussions and all that," he said. “They're switching into almost like a memory foam."

But Landry said player safety would also benefit from a change in attitude.
“There's no respect for the good players anymore. There's guys out there, fourth liners, that want to take the first line's head off,” he said

“They want to make a big hit, they want to look good. That's what their job is, but they're hurting players in the process. I have a feeling the softer the padding, the harder they're going to hit."
.For the full article go to; www.cbc.ca