Reduce injuries to hockey players

The hit to the head of the Dubuque Fighting Saints' Dylan Chanter last month was so severe that it left him nearly dead on the ice. But a week later, he was quoted that he is ready to fight again, revealing much about young players' mentality or residual effects from the brain rattling.

Mark Carlson, Cedar Rapids Roughriders coach, whose player was involved in the fight with Chanter, now has to reconsider his endorsement to fight. In the past, he's been quoted in The Gazette about the need to fight and even providing fight training.

But it's a different world now with even the NFL suffering from head injury lawsuits in fully adult players. The RoughRiders are kids for the most part, relying on Coach Carlson to look out for their well-being. If the coach wants the players to fight, they will. I suggest the league pick up the tab from the hospital, the Life Flight, and the university testing and neurologist for this injury. Perhaps it will change its opinion.

The next fight and injury may end up in a courtroom and this recent event will prove a liability that puts not only the player, but the franchise, league, and city at risk.

I love attending Roughrider games, but there is enough evidence to support any effort to reduce injuries in these young players.

Brad Franzwa

North Liberty