Release from 28.09.2018

Statement by Lyle Seitz on the Austin Smith case

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After HC Bolzano publishing a statement on Austin Smith's accusations on Wednesday, both parties outlined their positions. Now Lyle Seitz, Director of Hockey Operations of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, puts forward his views on the matter.

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Approximately 2 weeks ago, the EBEL, through an Instagram post by Austin Smith, was for the first time notified of a potential medical and financial issue. Information obtained about the case to date regarding the alleged concussion issue:
 
1) Austin Smith allegedly sustained a head injury (possible concussion) on October 20th, 2017 when Bolzano played in Vienna. This information was obtained through confirmation by both Bolzano and Austin Smith directly.
  • The game was watched live by the EBEL Situation Room on Oct 20th, 2017 at which time no incident(s) occurred which would be considered high alert.  Meaning there was no cause to clip and send an incident, specific to Austin Smith, to the player safety committee (PSC) for review.
    • The game was reviewed in its entirety again (on Friday Sept 14th, 2018) by myself, after hearing of the alleged concussion sustained during Oct 20th, 2017 game of which I did not witness an infraction deemed illegal, out of the game norm for contact and/or an incident that would stand out for a possible concussion.  There was no contact witnessed directly to Austin Smith’s head.
    • Next assumption would then be secondary or non-primary contact (boards, glass, ice, puck stick, ...) would be the cause. Nothing was witnessed or visible as per the video available.
    • Lastly, concussions can also come in the way of a situation, such as and not limited to what is referred to as whiplash (body check to body where the body moves, and head doesn’t cause a sudden shoulder to neck difference). This is the probable cause, but not conclusive by the video available.
    • On behalf of the EBEL Hockey Ops Dept – there was no incident missed at the time or the recent game review, that can conclusively prove a probable reason why or how a concussion occurred.
    • Austin Smith claimed through a verbal phone conversation, that to the best of his abilities, the incident occurred in the 1st period and was a whip lash cause for concussion. Here are the clips where physical contact occurred, where there could be a potential cause:
 
The clips are considered legal plays and contact that occurs frequently within all games (nothing out of ordinary or reason for PSC review).

2) Austin Smith allegedly sustained a head injury (to further the possible concussion) on October 21st, 2017 when Bolzano played in Znojmo. This information was obtained through confirmation by both Bolzano and Austin Smith directly.
  • The game was watched live by the EBEL Situation Room on Oct 21st, 2017 at which time no incident(s) occurred which would be considered high alert. Meaning there was no cause to clip and send an incident, specific to Austin Smith, to the player safety committee (PSC) for review.
    • Austin Smith claimed through a verbal phone conversation and to the best of his ability in remembering, that the alleged concussion was enhanced while on the power play, along the half wall – where he fell backwards jarring his head.
    • The game was reviewed in its entirety again by myself (on Friday, Sept 14th, 2018), after hearing of the alleged furthering concussion sustained during Oct 21st, 2017 game at which I did not witness an infraction deemed illegal, out of the game norm for contact and/or an incident that would stand out for a possible concussion. There was no contact witnessed directly to Austin Smith’s head.
    • An incident did occur that fits the description of Austin Smith’s explanation. This was/is deemed a legal body check, nothing for alert for PSC and is deemed part of normal and legal game action.
  
3) The last game played before Austin Smith left game play for a sustained time (Oct 27th, 2017 until approximately Jan 26th, 2018), was Oct 27th, 2017 in Bolzano vs KAC. Through a verbal confirmation by Austin Smith, no incident occurred in this game to enhance a concussion. Austin Smith stated that he felt ‚concussion like ‘symptoms half way through the game based from the Oct 20th and Oct 21st, 2017 games.

In conclusion of the game events mentioned above, regarding Austin Smith:
  • Played the entire game (for all 3 games above mentioned), inclusive of OT when applicable
  • Did not immediately leave the ice (finished shift) after contact on above clips (demonstrated no form of injury)
  • Played a regular shift, special teams, final minutes of each game, ...
  • Scored points
 
In conclusion of the game events mentioned above, from Hockey Ops perspective: 
  • No incident deemed illegal or conclusive cause of an alleged concussion
  • No incident deemed high alert for cause to send clip to the PSC Committee
 
Based on the information provided by Austin Smith:
  • Did not see or ask to see a doctor after Oct 20th, 2017 game in Vienna
  • Did not see or ask to see a doctor after Oct 21st, 2017 game in Znojmo
  • Seen a Bolzano doctor on, before or immediately after the Oct 27th, 2017 game who did not diagnose a concussion.
 
It is important to note that concussion protocols are useful after an incident has occurred. Which means the player is potentially damaged? The EBEL player safety over the past few years has been taking a different approach is working diligently to educate, communicate and change the game standard to help minimize incidents form happening vs diagnosing after they have occurred. What has been occurring that the EBEL has changed and in place.
 
  • Medical staff on site for each game, inclusive of a medical trainer on players bench and doctor
  • Put more onus on players and coaches through education, communication and game standard to help prevent high potential issues from occurring daily
  • EBEL instituted a ‚EBEL Injury Protocol‘ 4 seasons ago, where injuries are reported to the EBEL
  • EBEL Incidents Report, which is a tool for Coaches to identify high risk or injury potential incidents
  • Full time Officiating Coach (Greg Kimmerly), who works daily with the game officials to uphold a strict standard for the safety of the players
  • EBEL instituted an EBEL Infrastructure Guideline Protocol a few years ago, which includes recommendations for player safety (ex.- give away/flexible boards, removal of glass to plexi-glass, 2 gates on every players bench, ...)
  • DOPS (Department of Player Safety) who monitor, educate and create the game standard and safety through and for all participants
  • Added the highest standard in all Pro Leagues for aggressive penalties (high injury potential) by making the minimum length 2+2 mins
  • Added a ‚mandatory mouth guard‘ for all pro players (no other pro league makes it mandatory, including IIHF)
  • Added all games seen live through Sportlounge to immediately identify high injury potential injuries
  • Added an EBEL Player Safety Committee (PSC) which is an independent board observing, helping and identifying high injury issues
  • 2018/19 season, the EBEL has added 4 ‚remote‘ game observers (with a combined 5000+ NHL games of on-ice experience) who help review games live through Situation Room
  • Added the ’repeat offenders‘ act to playing time and identify and eliminate their specific standard of illegal play
  • Changed the EBEL game standard each season to a speed and skill league, which reduces players who would be considered repeat offenders for injury potential incidents
  • Fighting Rule – the EBEL has the toughest fighting standard, administered through DOPS
  • ...
 
Much of the above-mentioned information is NOT standard protocol for Pro Leagues. The EBEL leads many and much of all leagues in helping prevent dangerous incidents vs reacting after a dangerous incident occurred (what concussion protocol helps identify).

EBEL changes have been helping and what needs to be the focus, not a 1 off situation. We know it is working because preventable injuries are down, serious preventable injuries are down, the DOPS standard for suspension has increased and suspension of decreased over time, ... 
 
It is also important to note, 1 isolated Austin Smith case does not and cannot define the EBEL. The EBEL maintains a steady growth of brand imagining, while keeping player safety as a high priority. The EBEL has been doing many measures and will continue to do so, which needs to be the focus. 
 
Sportive regards,
Lyle Seitz
 
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