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CBCSportsca Blogs Flemings brain damage a frightening reminder of NHL violence News Sports Radio TV My Region Watch Listen Member Centre Login Sign UpHalifax (Shearwater) Change City18c Hockey Headlines Scoreboard Standings Stats NHL Schedule Teams Players Hockey Night in Canada Highlights Fantasy Pool NHL Playoffs FIFA World Cup Football Headlines CFL Scoreboard CFL Standings CFL Stats CFL Teams NFL Scoreboard NFL Standings NFL Stats NFL Teams NFL Players Video Alpine Skiing Curling Figure Skating Basketball NBA Scoreboard Standings Stats Teams Players Basketball News Feed Baseball MLB Scoreboard Standings Stats Teams Players Baseball News Feed Soccer MLS Scoreboard MLS Standings International Stats Soccer News Feed Amateur Sports Golf Tennis Blogs and Columns HockeySubscribe to Blogs and Columns Flemings brain damage a frightening reminder of NHL violence December 18 2009 0418 PM Posted by Scott Morrison News that former NHL player Reggie Fleming had brain damage related to head blows incurred while playing the game is obviously tragic but ultimately the news might also be timelyFleming who died in July at the age 73 was found to have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy a disease that cannot be determined until after death but causes behavioural changes cognitive decline and eventually dementia according to reportsFleming was the first hockey player tested for the disease but likely not the first or last to have itObviously when Fleming played his dozen NHL seasons in the 1960s and 70s it was a wildly different time Players predominantly didnt wear helmets and medical science was not nearly as advanced as it is today particularly in determining concussions and their severityIt is important to note that the protection afforded players over the years has greatly improved as well all know as has the medical care they are affordedSadly however there is still a problem with head shots and injuries so many years laterAs much as the players are safer because of the equipment they wear they are also in considerable danger because of the equipmentIt seems inevitable though that when the NHL general managers convene again in March that they will emerge with a rule designed to prevent blindside head shots which currently are otherwise legal but also lethalIn a game that is played at rapid speed with big bodies violently colliding even within the rules injuries are going to happen Even with rules outlawing any type of head hit accidents will still happen In life and in hockey there are no absolutesBut taking the step to eliminating the blindside hit on the vulnerable player it is a good first step Once the NHL sees the impact of that rule eventually they can address whether head shots on headon collisions should be eliminated as well the way they have in juniorBut at least this will be a good first step if the GMs go down that roadIn the past wee...