Legacy of late Timmins hockey player lives on in concussion awareness campaign
A concussion awareness program was launched Monday in Timmins during a special Family Day hockey game in honour of a player who passed away in 2019.
The Seguin and Beaudry families of Timmins dropped the ceremonial puck at a Timmins Rock game in honour of their late son and grandson, Ryan Seguin, who died in 2019 at age 24. Feb. 19/24 (Lydia Chubak/CTV Northern Ontario)
The Porcupine Health Unit and the Timmins Rock Junior 'A' Hockey Club have teamed up for the 'Heads Up' Campaign which focuses on encouraging everyone -- not just hockey players -- to take head injuries seriously.
"We have seen an increase in concussions since the pandemic and we also know that concussions often go unreported and that players can continue to play," said Kendra Luxmore, program manager of immunization and chronic disease prevention at the Porcupine Health Unit.
"So we’re trying to increase awareness so that when a concussion does occur, players, coaches, trainers, all the family members know what the next steps are and how to protect their health moving forward."
The 'Heads Up' campaign encourages athletes to get clearance from their primary health care providers before getting back into any game.
"There are symptoms you may feel," said Luxmore.
"The onset will vary person to person, but you may feel dizzy, headache, you may feel off balance, as time progresses, you may have some changes to your mood, sensitivity to light."
Importance of concussion awareness
Monday's game against the Hearst Lumberjacks was in memory of the late Ryan Seguin who passed away in 2019 at the age of 24.
He played hockey and his brother Derek, a Timmins Rock alumni, now plays in the Netherlands.
"When he (Ryan) was playing, he had suffered concussions and it had impacted him for quite awhile," Seguin said.
"Even after his playing days, he had a few concussions as well because once you have one, you’re more susceptible to getting others, so it’s something that affected him personally."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
He said the subject was important enough to Ryan that he founded the Timmins Concussion Awareness Committee.
"During his university days, he would be out at hockey tournaments and ringette tournaments. He had his little cardboard booth and he would you know just chat with people and talk about concussion awareness because a lot of people, you know it’s an injury that’s very easily passable," Seguin said.
"It’s not visible like someone has a broken arm, sprained ankle; you can’t visibly see that this person is unwell or unfit to play."
After the game, fans were given a chance to meet their hockey heroes and hear straight from them how important it is to speak up if you've hit your head so your coaches and family can help you prevent further injury.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Olympic Committee apologizes after New Zealand accuses Canada women's soccer team of spying on their practices
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
'Bigger than just the record': Football fan eyes world record for quickest visit to all CFL stadiums
A CFL super fan is two-thirds of the way into his record-breaking attempt to visit all nine stadiums in the Canadian Football League in 15 days.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.