Sportswriter Jim Christie of the Toronto Globe & Mail has written an excellent story on The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet entitled "Building a Better Helmet." The feature, which includes an in-depth interview with Mark Messier and special graphics, discusses the M11 and "using technology to improve head gear" as the "next frontier in reducing concussions."

To read the full article, which first ran in the paper on Friday, December 18th, visit: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/building-a-better-helmet/article1404836/.

As a follow-up to the article, Mark Messier will participate in an online Q&A with readers and fans via the Globe & Mail website on Monday. You can follow this link to submit your questions: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/messier-takes-your-questions/article1406330/.

Hockey blogger Lulu Brown posted a great item to her site on The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet following the NHL GM meetings in Toronto. In her weekly "Sports & Science" feature on her "Hockey is My Boyfriend" blog, Brown offered some great -- and fun -- commentary on the technology of the M11 and mission of The Messier Project.

Here's an excerpt:

"The helmet actually looks pretty cool... It turns out it’s rather traditional, but not traditional in the sense that it looks like Esa Tikkanen’s old school Joffa helmet... The Mono 90™ Shell Design is supposed to make the helmet lighter and streamlined, stronger, while reducing direct energy transfer, and provides vents for air flow.... Sounds pretty good right? You want a helmet that’s lightweight; not one that’s as heavy as a park character in Disney, but you also want one that’s strong and can absorb a hit from your oppositions biggest goon... Is the helmet perfect? I don’t know, but it sure sounds like a good start.... Keep an eye out on your favorite hockey players. We might see a lot more of this in the future."

Be sure to check out the full post.

Earlier this month, The Messier Project and the M11 were featured in Canada.com's NHL Notebook. The Nov. 12 column highlighted Chris Phillips and Jesse Winchester of the Ottawa Senators and how both are wearing the M11. Phillips and Winchester share some great comments for the article; Winchester is quoted as saying its the "most comfortable" helmet he's ever worn. For the full article, visit:

http://www.canada.com/National+Hockey+League+notebook/2217247/story.html

In his well-known "Russo's Rants" column, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune continued to discuss the issue of concussion in hockey. He mentions The Messier Project and the M11 as former Wild Stephane Veilleux wears the helmet as are many youth teams in Minnesota. For the full article, visit:

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/71816467.htmlelr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

As reported by Larry Brooks in the New York Post, Rangers Captain Chris Drury tested the new M11 helmet as he prepared to return to the team after missing multiple games recovering from a concussion. To read the full story, visit:

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/drury_takes_first_strides_toward_WkvzEv5tPnhoDEnuXX30DO.

The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet are featured in an article by Sharon Lem for the Toronto Sun on the effects of head injuries and concussion in sports -- and especially hockey -- across all levels. The technology of the M11 is discussed as well as The Messier Project's mission to address concussion. To read the full article, visit:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/othersports/2009/11/22/11863681-sun.html.

The Messier Project and the M11 helmet were featured in an article in the Toronto Star which interviewed Kris King, the NHL's Senior Director of Operations. The piece discusses some of the new innovations in hockey equipment that are designed to better protect players and highlights the M11 and the mission of The Messier Project. To read the full article, visit:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/731977--safety-revolution-in-hockey-begins-now.

Mark Messier was interviewed by CBC News while in Canada last week. He discussed The Messier Project, the new M11, and shared his thoughts on the need for greater emphasis to be placed on head protection in hockey. To view the full interview, visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Hockey/ID=1326942108.

While in Canada, Mark Messier sat down for a one-on-one interview with TSN's "Off the Record." To view the full interview, in which Mark talks about The Messier Project, the M11, and the need for greater head protection, here's the link:

http://watch.tsn.ca/off-the-record/off-the-record---november-10/#clip233755.

Hockey columnist Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune took an in-depth look at hits to the head and head protection in his Sunday column. The piece, which features the M11 and includes comments from Stephane Veilleux, also reports that Pierre Marc-Bouchard of the Minnesota Wild plans to try the M11 upon his return from a concussion. To read the article, visit:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/70002047.html?page=1&c=y.