By Peter Watts /

You’re a parent. Your child wants to play hockey.

You want what’s best for your child and you want your child to be happy

You also want peace of mind that the activity is fun and safe.

If all that is true, you should mark Nov. 29 on your calendar and make plans to attend a seminar on concussions.

Winnipeg Minor Hockey and Hockey Canada are putting on the day-long information session featuring workshops and presentations by an assortment of doctors, chiropractors, dentists, athletic and physiotherapy technicians.

“This will be the second time we’ve done this,” said executive director of Winnipeg Minor Hockey Diane Woods.

“It’s open to hockey staff, coaches, parents and players. We’ll be educating people on the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. We’ll talk about the psychological pressures on both the victim of a concussion and on the surrounding support group.

“We’ll talk about protective equipment, like helmets and mouth guards. And the workshops will provide an opportunity for interaction among professionals, parents and players.”

Concussions are in the news a lot these days. Television brings collisions on the ice into our living rooms nearly every day — often from multiple angles and often over and over again.

The NHL and its Players Association is concerned about the effects of concussions, although not to the point where the partners are in full agreement on how to deal with the issue.

“It has been a matter for discussion among our members,” said NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly. “It has to start with respect for others on the ice.

“You can make all the rules changes you like, but if guys don’t play with a certain level of respect, you’re not going to solve the problem.

“We’re looking at improvements to equipment, softening up the shoulder pads somewhat. Perhaps improving the helmet technology would help. And you have a small number of guys that are repeat offenders.

“If you can identify those guys, frankly, whatever sanctions come their way is probably deserved.”

Participants are asked to pre-register for the seminar at hockeycanada.ca, hockeymanitoba.mb.ca or at wmha.mb.ca. The program begins at 8:45 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 29 at the Fairmont Winnipeg.

PUT ON THE LID

Winnipeg is one of a growing number of jurisdictions across Canada which has mandated that helmets must be worn by all participants in the game while on the ice.

“We’re still working hard on compliance by everyone,” Diane Woods said. “We’re also running a final superclinic at Red River College on Nov. 22 and 23, where we expect to certify about 250 hockey coaches.

“We’ve made certification compulsory for all coaches in the system and the deadline is December 1. Anyone who is not certified after that date cannot be a coach.”

Participants can register for the clinic at hockeymanitoba.mb.ca.

HITTING THE BOOKS

The University of Manitoba’s men’s hockey team might not have as many Tier I junior stars as other programs in Canada West.

But the Bisons strolled into Calgary Nov. 7-8 and handed the Dinos two losses by scores of 3-0 and 4-3 and looked good doing it.

Top ranked Alberta comes to Manitoba Nov. 14-15, before the Bisons hit the road to Lethbridge Nov. 21-22.

And there’s an even better story unfolding in women’s hockey. The Bisons are 10-0 under coach Jon Rempel, heading into action Nov. 21-22 at home against Lethbridge.

Goalkeeper Stacey Corfield is coming off back-to-back shutouts over UBC. Tammy Brade is leading the attack with 11 goals and three assists and teammate Addie Miles is right behind with seven goals and 14 points, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 whitewash of the Thunderbirds.