Hockey
Safety First – Curved Glass
It was only a matter of time when the NHL along with other hockey leagues took the matter of safety to a new level.
Given all the recent injuries (head) the speed of the game has forced everyone to spend more time thinking and working on the safety of both the players and the facility alike.Canucks Sports & Entertainment make it official and announced a new curved glass system for Rogers Arena in various areas along the top of the boards.
The implementation was mandated by the League for all 30 NHL arenas for the 2011-12 season.
The original concept was developed by members of the Canucks Sports & Entertainment engineering department.
“We are extremely proud to unveil a new glass system in Rogers Arena that should increase player safety,” said Mike Gillis, President & General Manager, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. “Last season, our Director, Engineering Al Hutchings and Supervisor, Conversions Shawn Campbell took the initiative to discuss and create a system that will now be used League wide. We are extremely encouraged by this revelation and its subsequent effects on the game.” “The addition of the curved glass system is one of several League initiatives the League has implemented to enhance player safety,” said NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan. “We appreciate the initiative that the Canucks showed in developing this system.”
The new Curved Glass System uses a curved piece of Acrylic glass in combination with movable posts to shield the crowd and protect the player from blunt force trauma.
The curved glass prevents the sudden stop of the player by deflecting him from the corner. The movable posts help to absorb the energy from the hit.
Canucks Sports & Entertainment Director, Engineering, Al Hutchings and Supervisor, Conversions, Shawn Campbell developed the original concept in March 2011.
A prototype was developed through supplier Cascadia Sport Systems and installed at Rogers Arena on March 30.
Following feedback from the Vancouver Canucks, further changes were made to the design and presented to the National Hockey League.
Once presented, the design was evaluated, modified by the League’s engineers and adopted by the League.
What I want to know is – “When will our communities get behind this and put it in our rinks”????