In a story that ran in both the Albany Times-Union and The American Chronicle, sportswriter Pete Dougherty profiles the concussion issue in hockey with a specific focus on how "concussion injuries are changing hockey's stay-on-ice mentality."

The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet are included in the article, highlighting how Mark and Cascade Sports joined forces to create the new M11 helmet, "designed to reduce direct energy transfer at the point of impact directly to the head, instead spreading the force throughout the helmet."

To read the piece via The American Chronicle, visit:

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/140270047

Sportswriter Rachel Lenzi of the Portland Press-Herald recently wrote an excellent article on the impact of concussion in hockey and the newfound attention that the issue is finally receiving, both in the AHL and across the sport in general.

Lenzi interviewed Mary-Kay Messier of Cascade Sports for the piece and the two discussed the creation and mission of The Messier Project. Lenzi writes of The Messier Project as "an initiative to heighten awareness and promote education about concussions, smart play and protective equipment."

To read the article, visit: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=309790&ac=PHspt.

The Messier Project has been featured in a special six-part series on the issue of concussion in hockey via Metro Group Newspapers, distributed in Buffalo and throughout West New York State.

Associate Editor Matthew Ondesko's series discusses The Messier Project, Seven Technology and the M11, and Mark's mission to change priorities in the sport of hockey and encourage safe play.

To read the series, visit: http://www.metrowny.com/blogs/archives/264-NHL-Great-Mark-Messier-takes-on-the-concussion-issue-75b0xw00d.html.

In Part Two of SB Nation's Hockey Roundtable, live online today, top hockey bloggers discuss the state of the NHL and a variety of hot topics -- including head shots and the issue of concussion in hockey.

Joe Fortunato, blogger at Blueshirt Banter, mentions The Messier Project and the M11 in discussing what the NHL can do to better protect its players from concussion.

Here's the link:

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/1/19/1259131/trade-NHL-sb-nations-hockey-roundtable

Mark Messier conducted an interview with blogger Greg Caggiano of Metro Hockey earlier this month; the article, which features The Messier Project, the M11 and the issue of concussion in hockey.

To read the full article, visit: http://metrohockey.blogspot.com/2010/01/interview-with-captain-mark-messier.html.

Greg's interview with The Captain grabbed some attention around the blogosphere and links to the article have since been posted on The Bleacher Report and Blueshirt Banter. To read, visit:

The Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/327127-interview-with-the-captain-mark-messier.
Blueshirt Banter: http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2010/1/18/1256116/metro-hockey-interviews-mark.

Columnist Mark Ritter of The Bleacher Report weighs in on how to "solve the concussion issue in hockey." In the piece, Ritter mentions the M11 and Mark's efforts on behalf of The Messier Project.

He writes: "Far too many NHL players have had their careers cut short by concussions, and while not the only reason, poor helmet choice is a factor for many players. Again, if a piece of equipment can protect you from a career-ending injury such as a concussion, then why not make it mandatory."

To read the full article, visit: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/306063-analyze-this-how-to-improve-the-nhl.

On the Hockey Wilderness blog, a fan site for the Minnesota Wild, the M11 is highlighted as one of the many ways concussions are now being addressed in the sport. The writer states: "Count me in as a proponent of making this helmet mandatory" as it "could save careers."

To view the post, visit: http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2009/12/10/1193729/want-to-solve-the-concussion-issue.

As coverage following the recent study on Reggie Fleming continues, Chicago Now.com has posted an article that includes The Messier Project and the M11 as a positive step in addressing the issue of concussion in hockey. To read the full post on the "Call of the Wild" blog, visit: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-wolves-call-of-the-wild/2009/12/blackhawk-great-reggie-fleming-cause-of-death--chronic-traumatic-encephalopathly.html.

The December 2009 issue of the New England Hockey Journal features an article on the NHL GM's forming a seven-member committee to sort through the many issues related to hits to the heads. Entitled, "Using Your Head," the piece by Kevin Paul Dupont, also of the Boston Globe, discusses how Mark Messier has "invested a lot of time and energy in designing a better hockey helmet." As Dupont writes: "Good on him. Players need better helmets, especially now..."

To read the full article, visit: http://www.hockeyjournal.com/Article.php?ArtID=1000173.

In a new poll compiled by a "blue-ribbon panel of CBC Sports executives, producers, broadcasters and writers," CBC Sports has named Mark Messier one of the 25 most influential figures on the Canadian sports scene in 2009. Tied with Richard Peddie, CEO and president, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, for the 19th spot on the list, Mark is honored for his work to address concussion in hockey and the launch of the M11.

For the full article, visit: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2009/12/27/furlong-mostinfluential.html.

As you may have already read, a new study by Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, published last week, asserts that Reggie Fleming, a deceased professional hockey player, suffered brain damage associated with repeated head trauma. As written in The New York Times, these findings connect hockey "for the first time to health risks linked to boxers and, most recently, football players."

There has been a great amount of coverage on these findings in the U.S. and Canadian media. Mark Messier and the M11 are mentioned in some of this coverage as addressing the issue of concussion in hockey. Links to an article on The Sporting News Blog and to an editorial in the Toronto Globe & Mail follow.

The Sporting News Blog:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/48137/former_nhl_players_brain_linked_to_trauma_damage

Toronto Globe & Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/requiem-for-reg-fleming/article1406388/