U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) yesterday called for the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman "to fund research into concussions and brain trauma and the connection" to CTE, according to the HARTFORD COURANT. Speaking outside Hartford's XL Center, Blumenthal was alongside Connecticut Children's Medical Center Physician David Wang and former college hockey player Paige Decker, who suffered a career-ending concussion in '13. Blumenthal: "I'm here to call on the NHL to be on the right side of history and health and to show a sustained and serious care for their players in addressing this problem. What should be done is for the NHL to fund research and scientific study, impartial and independent research that will explore and establish the link between concussions and brain disease later in life." Blumenthal is a "ranking member of the Senate subcommittee on consumer protection, which oversees professional and amateur sports." Blumenthal: "This message has nothing to do with the litigation that's ongoing; it has everything to do with what's right for the NHL to do. I'm also calling for the NHL to cease its attacks on the media, media consultants and lawyers and others who are advocates or activists" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/16).
