Archives for October 2011

'"It's an honor to represent the team and the guys on and off the ice and I think this year is going to be a great year for us but to make that happen we have to hold each other accountable," Pominville said after coach Lindy Ruff presented him his jersey. "We have to push each other to be better every game, regardless of whether you have a letter on your jersey or not. With … [Read more...] about Sabres name Pominville captain

'In addition to this known concussion, it's virtually guaranteed that Martin received multiple subconcussive blows to the head, which can cause just as much long-term brain damage as major concussive episodes. Plus, in hockey, body checks can lead to head trauma. "A quick jolt to the body can result in a movement of the brain inside the skull," Stern says. "Checks can also … [Read more...] about Former Hockey Star Rick Martin Had Disease Linked to Head Trauma

'Ever since Terry Pegula took ownership of the Sabres, they have been the talk of the National Hockey League. With an owner who does not have a tight budget, the Sabres went to work in the offseason and signed some veterans to solidify their defense.' … [Read more...] about Could this be the Sabres’ year?

'"It's really exciting to be home, be somewhere where you're from and somewhere you're really proud of," Numminen said. "Playing with the Team Finland here in front of the home crowd, it's a lot of great memories."' … [Read more...] about Numminen at home as coach with Sabres

'But the dream feels different now. It’s more authentic and vivid, almost ... inevitable? Certainly it’s no longer a fantasy. It will happen, you think, because Terry Pegula wants it so badly.' … [Read more...] about Sabres gear up for season opener

'“His CTE was definitely there and likely caused by repetitive blows to the head, received in hockey over the years,” said Robert Stern, professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Boston University and co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the university’s school of medicine.' … [Read more...] about Former Sabres star Rick Martin had brain disease

'“Rick Martin’s case shows us that even hockey players who don’t engage in fighting are at risk for CTE, likely because of the repetitive brain trauma players receive throughout their career,” Chris Nowinski, a co-director of the center, said in a statement. “We hope the decision makers at all levels of hockey consider this finding as they continue to make adjustments to hockey … [Read more...] about Ex-NHL Wing Rick Martin Had Repetitive Brain Trauma Disease When He Died

'New Sabres Assistant Coach Teppo Numminen said, "It's really exciting, to be home, to be somewhere where you're from where you're really proud of. Just all the memories of playing with Team Finland here. I would say all the World Cup games where you have your best team. You have the best players in the world, all the NHL players are there, just to be involved with such highly … [Read more...] about Sabres Fins are home

'The Martin Family did not want to comment on the report at this time, but told researchers they wanted it made public, believing that Rick Martin would have wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of brain trauma in sports and encourage efforts to make sports safer for the brain.' … [Read more...] about Researchers Examine Sabres Legend Rick Martin’s Brain After Death

'“I could pick out the Sabres fans in the crowd here right away,” said team president Ted Black. “They were the ones holding the cups of beer and drinking at 11am.”' … [Read more...] about Hello, Mannheim!

Rochester Amerks' Shawn Szydlowski hopes to shine (Rochester D&C) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage

'The Martin family went public with the findings because they believed Rick Martin would’ve wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of brain trauma in sports.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Martin suffered from neurological disease

'"It is scientifically interesting that Mr. Martin only had stage 2 disease at 59 years old, as by that age most cases in our brain bank have advanced to stage 3 or 4. There are a number of variables that we don't yet understand that could account for this finding, such as lower lifetime exposure to brain trauma, later onset of the disease, genetic risk factors, among others," … [Read more...] about Ex-Sabre Martin had brain trauma

'“Most of the brains we study come from very symptomatic people whose families donated their brains to find answers for things like dementia, depression or behavioral difficulties, but Rick Martin was not symptomatic,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, who is also a director at the center and a neurosurgeon for head trauma in sports. “He was living a very rich, productive life and was … [Read more...] about Former N.H.L. Star Had Disease Related to Brain Trauma

'“Rick Martin’s case shows us that even hockey players who don’t engage in fighting are at risk for CTE, likely because of the repetitive brain trauma players receive throughout their career,” said Chris Nowinski, a founder of the Sports Legacy Institute at BU. “We hope the decision makers at all levels of hockey consider this finding as they continue to make adjustments to … [Read more...] about Brain study finds damage in ex-Sabre Rick Martin