Studio 5: Writer’s Moves A.

Smith 1

Studio Five: Writer’s Moves

“The Conversation: What Others Are Saying”:

• The NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, has recently suggested that neuropathologist Dr.

Ann McKee’s study linking hockey and CTE are untrue.

• Although none of them have ever said so directly, many former hockey players believe

that the game of hockey and concussions are dangerous.

• It is often said that hockey is a violent game.

“The Art of Summarizing”:

• Although there are conflicting opinions of whether or not concussions are dangerous to

the game of hockey…

• Concussions are detrimental to the game of hockey and especially so to the National

Hockey League.

• Concussions and CTE are leading to the downfall of great professional athletes and

eventually they will lead to the downfall of entire professional sports’ leagues, and the

NHL may be the first to go.

“The Art of Quoting”:

• Carcillo confesses, “You can take my name off the Stanley Cup twice over. I can’t live

like that anymore” in response to being asked about the danger of head injuries in the

game of hockey.

• Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog states, “We need to talk about

concussions, right now”.

• Carcillo’s view is “I’d be scared, if I was still playing in the NHL. If I was Sidney

Crosby, if I was any one of those young kids”.

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“Ways of Responding to Source Material”:

• Those unfamiliar with the actions of the NHL and NHLPA may be interested to know

that it basically boils down to the league not protecting the players.

• I disagree with Gary Bettman’s view that hockey and CTE are not connected because, as

recent research has shown, fighting in hockey leads to concussions and numerous

concussions lead to CTE.

• I agree that fighting and concussions are an issue in hockey, a point that needs

emphasizing since so many people still believe that fighting has a place in the game.

“Saying Why it Matters”:

• This interpretation challenges the work of those critics who have long assumed that

concussions and fighting are not related.

• If sports enthusiasts stopped to think about it, many of them might simply assume that

hockey is just a part of the game and cause no real harm to the players. However, new

research shows that fighting leads to concussions and multiple concussions lead to CTE

which will eventually lead to premature death.

• Ultimately, what is at stake here is the players’ safety.