Product News :Reebok-CCM Hockey Head & Face Takes Aim at Bauer RE-AKT Helmet on Protection from Rotational Acceleration

Reebok-CCM Hockey Partners with University of Ottawa to Promote Protocol as Industry-Wide Standard for Rotational Acceleration Testing

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Head injuries are a very serious issue in the sport of ice hockey, which is why Reebok-CCM Hockey (“Reebok-CCM”) formed an exclusive partnership with the University of Ottawa’s Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory. Together, Reebok-CCM and the University of Ottawa are working to gain further knowledge on impact management with the goal of helping the hockey industry create safer equipment.


One other equipment manufacturer who shares this goal has introduced a helmet with claims that it has revolutionized protection against head and brain injury. Stray comments from Bauer’s CEO and misinterpretations by some news outlets have created a misimpression that Bauer’s RE-AKT helmet is the only helmet that reduces rotational acceleration.

“The topic of head injuries in hockey is too important and of serious concern to the general public to be the subject of confusion in the marketplace regarding product performance.” says Phil Dubé, General Manager for Reebok-CCM Hockey.

In fact, Reebok-CCM has at least one helmet that performs significantly better overall than the RE-AKT helmet at reducing rotational acceleration when tested using a peer-reviewed and scientifically published test protocol designed by the University of Ottawa to specifically evaluate ice hockey helmets. The results of that test were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level, for all but one head impact location. The test also showed that Reebok-CCM’s helmet performed better at reducing linear acceleration at high speeds to a statistically significant degree.

Reebok-CCM believes that the University of Ottawa’s peer-reviewed and published test protocol using a pneumatic linear impactor to measure rotational impacts (the “UOTP”) is the best test methodology that currently exists to measure rotational impact forces for hockey helmets. The linear impactor simulates player-to-player contact and is similar to a test device created at Wayne State University for the reconstruction of National Football League helmet-to-helmet collisions. There are other test protocols developed in other industries for different types of helmets, such as those worn in motocross or equestrian activities, but those tests do not simulate impacts in a manner that truly mimics the rotational acceleration that can be experienced by hockey players.

Hockey is a contact sport and no helmet is going to prevent all injuries to the head and brain; however, Reebok-CCM is always striving to develop the safest and most protective and innovative technology. Testing helmets with the right test is an important step in accurately assessing the protective capabilities of a helmet which is why Reebok-CCM will continue to work with the University of Ottawa to promote the UOTP as the industry-wide testing standard for measuring rotational acceleration.

Reebok-CCM Hockey, a subsidiary of the adidas Group, is headquartered in Montreal. With operations in Canada, the United States and Europe, the Company is the world's largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of hockey equipment and related apparel under two of the most recognized hockey brand names: Reebok Hockey and CCM Hockey. Reebok-CCM Hockey equips more professional hockey players than any other company, including superstars like Sidney Crosby and Gabriel Landeskog. Reebok-CCM Hockey is also the official outfitter of the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the Canadian Hockey League, and several NCAA and national teams. For more info, visit: www.reebokhockey.com and www.ccmhockey.com


Contacts

M&C SAATCHI PR / Colleen Doran, 646-619-2812
Senior Account Executive / colleen.doran@mcsaatchi.com