Predicting Andy McDonald's New Helmet

by Brad Lee on Jan 25, 2011 8:01 AM CST

Happymeal_medium

Not photoshopped photo of McDonald at practice. We swear.

Since it was announced last week that Andy McDonald and David Perron have been cleared to begin exercising, we've been trying to not put too much hope on either coming back and being prime contributors right away.

And then news came Monday that McDonald not only traveled with the team to Colorado participated in a full practice. Also included in the story was this nugget from Dan O'Neill:

McDonald was wearing the Cascade M11 Helmet, also known as the "Messier helmet," because former standout player Mark Messier is involved in the development of the equipment. Slightly bigger than the standard helmet, the M11 is purported to be more effective in preventing head injuries.

McDonald was wearing the Cascade M11 Helmet, also known as the "Messier helmet," because former standout player Mark Messier is involved in the development of the equipment. Slightly bigger than the standard helmet, the M11 is purported to be more effective in preventing head injuries.

Now we figure that McDonald wouldn't stop with just the Messier helmet. maybe he'll try some other helmets that might be slightlyt bigger. We now present helmets we think Andy McDonald might try to reduce injuries.

Gazoo_medium

Gazoo Model

Now it's a little bulky, but it's guaranteed to make the wearer's neck stronger than they ever thought possible. Only comes in green, however. Also could be used as a weapon, kind of like a battering ram. Downside, you have to take it off to get down the tunnel to the dressing room.

Dark Helmet

McDonald can get a good deal on the helmet if he mentions to the salesman that he knows his father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate. Biggest perk, it helps you skate at ludicrous speed.

Melon Head

Multipurpose model can be used as decorative centerpiece for fruit salad and is great as an extra conditioner on your hair. Downside, your team is only good a few times every 20 years.

Bullpen_car_medium

Bullpen Car

For the full body experience, install the full face shield and you'll never feel another body check again (snow tires not included).

Any other suggestions for new Andy McDonald helmets? Leave 'em in the comments.

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Comments

I may still have this one in the garage he can borrow

When the boys were toddlers and rode on the bike seat. This is Blane age 4.

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Jan 25, 2011 8:13 AM CST reply actions

I just want it known

that this resident mom is disappointed that the GT family didn’t comment on the cuteness of this kid!
HMPFFFF

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Jan 26, 2011 7:44 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not allowed to comment on the cuteness of other people's kids until I have kids of my own.

At least I think that’s what the court order said…

by Paperwork Ninja on Jan 26, 2011 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

I know the NFL has issues with concussions too, but don’t they have more regulation on what you must wear for a helmet?
Seems like players should be forced to wear a specific type of helmet nowadays. Not the brand that they are endorsing. I wouldn’t mind seeing everyone out there wearing this. It wouldn’t look weird then. Like the new baseball helmets, everyone said they looked weird, and then everyone started wearing them and we all forgot about how weird they look.

by NaJaKwa on Jan 25, 2011 8:30 AM CST reply actions

nah, they's still ugly.

Yea ≠ Yeah

by labbadabba on Jan 25, 2011 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

I found this interesting

from the 3rd International Conf on Concussions in Zurich SWI in 2008.

7.1 Protective equipment: mouthguards and helmets

There is no good clinical evidence that currently available protective equipment will prevent concussion although mouthguards have a definite role in preventing dental and orofacial injury. Biomechanical studies have shown a reduction in impact forces to the brain with the use of head gear and helmets, but these findings have not been translated to show a reduction in concussion incidence. For skiing and snowboarding there are a number of studies to suggest that helmets provide protection against head and facial injury and hence should be recommended for participants in alpine sports.113–116 In specific sports such as cycling, motor and equestrian sports, protective helmets may prevent other forms of head injury (eg, skull fracture) that are related to falling on hard road surfaces; these may be an important injury prevention issue for those sports.

Is this saying that while equipment prevents injury such as fractures it does very little to prevent concussions. This makes sense to me as a concussion is from the brain rebounding inside the skull and nothing can prevent that from occuring.

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Jan 25, 2011 8:58 AM CST reply actions

Try the quote part again

7.1 Protective equipment: mouthguards and helmets
There is no good clinical evidence that currently available protective equipment will prevent concussion although mouthguards have a definite role in preventing dental and orofacial injury. Biomechanical studies have shown a reduction in impact forces to the brain with the use of head gear and helmets, but these findings have not been translated to show a reduction in concussion incidence. For skiing and snowboarding there are a number of studies to suggest that helmets provide protection against head and facial injury and hence should be recommended for participants in alpine sports.113–116 In specific sports such as cycling, motor and equestrian sports, protective helmets may prevent other forms of head injury (eg, skull fracture) that are related to falling on hard road surfaces; these may be an important injury prevention issue for those sports.

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Jan 25, 2011 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

McDonald was wearing the Cascade M11 Helmet, also known as the "Messier helmet," because former standout player Mark Messier is involved in the development of the equipment. Slightly bigger than the standard helmet, the M11 is purported to be more effecti

McDonald was wearing the Cascade M11 Helmet, also known as the “Messier helmet,” because former standout player Mark Messier is involved in the development of the equipment. Slightly bigger than the standard helmet, the M11 is purported to be more effective in preventing head injuries.

by Buck65 on Jan 25, 2011 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

If we had an edit button I would only have 1 post

I guess it ups the stats though.

Happy Meal’s quote about his helmet

I don’t know if it passes the mirror test but…

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Jan 25, 2011 9:09 AM CST reply actions

Happy Meal now looks like "Lord Helmet", but what Schwartz will he use!!!

St Louis Blues - Season Ticket Holder - Sec 106
SUTA
What Exactly is a God Wand?
Anyone who says "Nuff said" or "Need I say more?" needs to be elbowed in the cock.

by I_AM_SPARTACUS on Jan 25, 2011 9:42 AM CST reply actions

the helmets are still too damn loose

In football we were required to have it cinched tight. I see the chin straps dangling on hockey players, that cant be very supportive.

St Louis Blues - Season Ticket Holder - Sec 106
SUTA
What Exactly is a God Wand?
Anyone who says "Nuff said" or "Need I say more?" needs to be elbowed in the cock.

by I_AM_SPARTACUS on Jan 25, 2011 9:46 AM CST reply actions

Hilarious

that the word “nugget” was used in this article instead of a McNugget.

Brad Winchester? Yeah.

by heycarrieann8 on Jan 25, 2011 10:06 AM CST reply actions

Something like this would probably help:

by Mr. Particle on Jan 25, 2011 10:07 AM CST reply actions

Dark Helmet?

Maybe that one. But then we might have to figure out how big his Schwarz is.

- a Tale from my Creased Mind

by jpratte on Jan 25, 2011 10:08 AM CST reply actions

Back to the round table

by stlfanboy on Jan 25, 2011 10:32 AM CST reply actions

We need to get him one of those German Kaiser helmets.

You know, the half shell ones with the spike on top of it?

If not, I move we go with Dark Helmet.

Barret Jackman is my hero.

Fueled. These new shores burn. Shadow, my sweet shadow, to you I look no more.

by BluesTiger on Jan 25, 2011 10:53 AM CST reply actions

I don't have the link for this

But there are studies that show that helmets with external, as well as internal, padding have a higher effectiveness. This was tested in football, so I’ve read somewhere. They look outrageous. But maybe they could be adapted for hockey.

Sometimes, I wonder why hockey came south of St. Louis, and then I realize, I'm south of St. Louis. Coincidence, I think not.

by Will in STL on Jan 25, 2011 12:03 PM CST reply actions

I've always thought this would help...

When I heard years ago that head and neck injuries increased when NFL went from the soft leather helmets to the hard ones. So why not combine both?

Anybody have access to stats for concussions and head injuries before helmets were mandatory and after?

by Mr. Particle on Jan 25, 2011 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

i dont care

if he has to play the rest of his blues career in a bubble. as long as he can get back out there and produce for our team, is all i care about. its not a fashion show, its hockey.

jackman is not impressed.

by keepinthehope on Jan 25, 2011 2:11 PM CST reply actions

Fueled. These new shores burn. Shadow, my sweet shadow, to you I look no more.

by BluesTiger on Jan 26, 2011 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

Well, hopefully it'll work to absorb and redirect the force of impact away from the brain like it says on the site.

Some of the NAHL teams are switching over to Messier helmets, so we’ll see how well they work for juniors.

by Paperwork Ninja on Jan 25, 2011 6:29 PM CST reply actions

If the Cascade M11 had a Viking Attachment to it . . .

he could protect himself while fucking other peoples’ shit up. And that would be awesome.

St. Louis Game Time . . . I need another beer.
The Throwdown Lowdown Report, only on The Bluenote Zone.
And I can also write things in 140 characters or fewer.

by Donut King on Jan 26, 2011 12:23 AM CST reply actions

Now that I look at it more...

It looks more and more like the helmet the Rebel pilots wore in Star Wars.

“Trust your feelings, Happy Meal. Use the Force.”

(MacDonald scores)

Maybe that’s Boyes’ problem? He doesn’t have a dead Jedi telling him when to shoot?

by Paperwork Ninja on Jan 26, 2011 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

At this point . . .

anything is fair game. It can’t hurt!

St. Louis Game Time . . . I need another beer.
The Throwdown Lowdown Report, only on The Bluenote Zone.
And I can also write things in 140 characters or fewer.

by Donut King on Jan 26, 2011 3:43 PM CST up reply actions