Goalie Mask Padding and Concussions

mslmsl · Squirt Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 1

My 15 year old son recently suffered a concussion when he was bumped by players pushing each other in the crease and fell backwards, hitting the back of his head on the ice. Until then, I didn't notice how little padding there is on the back cap of goalie masks (which, based on looking at many makes and models at a few stores since then, seems universal). Why is this? It seems that adding more padding back there both makes sense (goalies have no way to protect themselves when the fall backwards) and would have little impact (since more padding would not decrease their vision or movement). Does anyone know of a way to add more padding to the back plate on goalie masks? Do any companies make inserts?

Grape Ape #29 · Squirt Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Lowell, MA

Wow. No responses.
I've never seen any inserts or anything, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. You may try looking into/calling the following manufacturers.
Hackva - great customer service, eager to please
Promasque - unique air-bladder padding system

They may have an item or suggestions which could help.
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Butters McFly · Minors Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Kyushu

Stick-on foam would be one option. I buy the baby-proofing kind, and use it more to improve fit rather than concussion. Not sure how much it'd protect, though it couldn't hurt. I suffered a concussion last year when a guy came in on a breakaway, crashed into me, and my backplate hit the post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK-tHp2I0QE

It's a tough situation. I suspect that when the head is moving at a certain speed, then suddenly stops, there is a danger of concussion, whether there is an actual impact or not. I'm no expert, though.