AJHL Improves Concussion Safety with CJHL Concussion Program

League to implement concussion management software to facilitate a safer environment for players

Calgary, AB – The Alberta Junior Hockey League (‘AJHL’) is continuing a commitment to advance player safety standards by taking part in the CJHL Concussion Program supported by The Co-operators. The new national program provides the league with innovative concussion management software from HeadCheck Health, Inc. (‘HeadCheck’) for use with their concussion protocol.

The AJHL’s concussion protocol establishes mandatory guidelines for the recognition, assessment, and management of concussion. HeadCheck’s mobile and web-based software provides AJHL teams with more advanced tools to follow that protocol. The net result will be a safer environment for all players.

Ryan Bartoshyk, AJHL Commissioner, said, “Improving player safety is a team effort and concussion safety requires collaboration, especially at the junior hockey level. The use of HeadCheck gives our trainers and medical personnel additional tools and resources needed to make informed decisions on the health and safety of our players.”

Team trainers can use HeadCheck’s mobile app to document suspected concussions, perform concussion assessments and transfer the information collected to medical professionals and partner clinics. The national program allows a player’s concussion history to transfer with them from team-to-team or league-to-league for more informed care.

“We recognize that junior hockey players can be vulnerable to concussions because they’re playing a contact sport. We want to support them as they pursue their hockey careers by providing an extra safety net with this concussion program,” said Kevin Daniel, Executive Vice President at Co-operators Life Insurance Company.

Harrison Brown, Co-Founder, and CEO of HeadCheck Health, said, “We are excited that the AJHL is aligned on a shared mission to create a safer environment for all players in the league. We feel the use of our software will allow the league to continuously make concussion safety improvements and stay out in front of the issue.”

All data collected through the HeadCheck system will be stored according to Canadian health privacy standards and will only be accessed by authorized individuals.

ABOUT HEADCHECK HEALTH, INC.
HeadCheck provides concussion management software that is customized to the requirements of any concussion policy. A mobile app can be used to document suspected concussions, run concussion assessments and track an athlete’s concussion history. An enhanced web dashboard provides an overview of testing activity, more thorough athlete management, and the monitoring of concussion policy adherence. The system provides medical and non-medical roles to support the varying medical qualifications of individuals working with teams. All data is securely stored and meets the latest health privacy standards. Over 400 organizations across North America use HeadCheck as their primary tool for concussion management, including the CJHL, BC Hockey, UBC, Edmonton Oil Kings, BC Rugby, Eastern Washington University, Rugby Ontario, St. George’s School, and Okotoks Minor Hockey. For more information visit http://www.headcheckhealth.com

ABOUT THE CO-OPERATORS
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $41 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products.  The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt and Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca.

Media Contacts:
Kari Kylo – kari@somaworks.com
604.889.8057

Charla Flett
Vice President, Communications
Alberta Junior Hockey League
C: (403) 999-5734

Michelle Robichaud
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
The Co-operators
media@cooperators.ca