“One-third of all hockey helmets on store shelves and already on the heads of players around the world are not recommended for use…”
- That’s the conclusion reached by independent researchers at Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic State University).
From 2015 to 2017, 38 models were studied using the helmet safety rating system, STAR. And their results shocked manufacturers and the public – 12 of the hockey helmets tested failed to earn even one star out of a possible five, and were classified as “not recommended”. It is worth noting that these studies focus on concussion protection, not fracture protection or overall helmet design reliability as was previously the case.
According to the STAR methodology, each hockey helmet was tested twice, with 3 levels of impact energy and 4 impact sites – 12 helmet test conditions, for a total of 48 tests for each model. Then, based on the results, mathematical formulas are used to calculate injury risks and STAR reliability values for each helmet model.
All 38 hockey helmets evaluated by Virginia Tech have been previously certified as safe by HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association). By the way, note that the HECC certification committee, includes the manufacturers of hockey helmets.
To be certified, the HECC requires helmets to withstand 300G; the CSA’s requirement is slightly lower, 275G. While these standards will prevent most skull fractures and other catastrophic injuries, studies show that most concussions occur when the head is exposed to much lower levels of force.
When asked if Virginia Tech was worried about the results, HECC President Dr. Alan Ashar said, “I would say yes.” But likewise, he said, it remains unclear whether a helmet receiving a higher star rating can match the lower risk of concussion, adding that no helmet can “guarantee that you won’t have concussions.”
Virginia Tech, for its part, says a helmet rated three, four and five, stars will minimize the risk of concussions. “We’re just saying we want to go to the next level of safety, which reduces the risk of serious head injuries – concussions. We want to find a way that we can reduce the risk of concussion.”
At the time of the 2015 study, the two most expensive hockey helmets on the market, Bauer’s Re-act 100 – $269.99 and CCM Resistance – $229.99, each received one star rating, while the most budget model, the Bauer 2100, which sells for $34.99, received two stars and came close to three stars.
After the release of the results of the study the manufacturers have revised the production processes and at the moment Bauer Re-act 200 – $299.99 takes second place in the rating, giving the first place only to CCM FL500 – $199.99 (the dependence of the place in the rating and the price of the helmet, Bauer apparently does not embarrass at all).