from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

There will be some added onlookers at NHL games this season, and they won't be watching for goals.

In an effort to boost its ongoing concussion protocol, the NHL is in the process of hiring concussion "spotters" for all 30 arenas, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to ESPN.com on Monday.

The move has the blessing of the NHL Players’ Association, as the union and league run the concussion program jointly.

There have been club concussion spotters for the past few seasons -- people hired by teams -- but this season they will be independent. There will be two designated people per building with varied backgrounds who will split the games.

Their only given job on any given night will be spotting for any visible signs of concussion. They will log all those incidents into a file.

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