Sportsnet Insider Announced Oilers Darnell Nurse To Join New NHLPA Committee

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
November 2, 2024 (9:26 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

During the Saturday Headlines segment of hockey night in Canada, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reveals a new committee that was formed by the NHLPA's executive director Marty Walsh in which Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse will be a member.

The committee will be responsible for examining and helping NHL players with the issue of CTE. Chronic traumatic Encephalopathy is a brain disorder that Is found primarily in athletes who suffer from repeated head injuries. Over time this disorder causes the death of nerve cells in the brain which means it will be progressive and never improve.

Friedman states

"[The committee] is going to hopefully have one representative from each team as a member of it, so the players can get a better understanding of the challenges that concussions can present," Friedman said. "[Nurse] would be an excellent choice. I think he would be an excellent person to help educate his fellow members about the challenges that can be faced and the treatment that can be got."

Nurse has been an advocate at several NHLPA committees which includes helping players prepare for retirement and their life after hockey is over and also help promote racial justice and diversity within the sport and was a leading voice on anti racism in 2020.

Walsh released his statement regarding the committee

"The NHLPA is in the process of forming a player committee that will be focused on learning more about chronic traumatic encephalopathy). The committee will be guided by leading medical experts in this field to help players better understand CTE,» Walsh said.

Many NHL stars have had several concussions another head injuries over the years and decades of the game and only recently studies and recognition have become the forefront of CTE patients. This committee will have one representative for every team in the NHL.