The IntelliGym hones hockey sense, which involves enhancing spatial awareness on ice, something that not only makes a player better, but also safer.

It seems cognitive training – more broadly the idea that hockey sense can be honed – has caught on. This year a number of Major Junior clubs are going to be using the product including the Ottawa 67s, the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Regina Pats. They’ll be joined by a number of big US College teams including Northeastern and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of the Hockey East conference.

I want to pick up on the safety angle, because the link between cognitive training and fewer injuries is one that’s less intuitive for some people.

Research shows, most hockey injuries - especially head injuries - occur when a player suffers unanticipated contact. Cognitive training that enhances on ice awareness has been shown to reduce unanticipated hits.

In the five years after USA Hockey introduced the Hockey IntelliGym to its U-18 and U-17 National Development teams, the rate of on ice injuries dropped by 14% and head injuries by 27%.

These are significant figures, and I applaud the thoughtful coaches who’ve decided to use the IntelliGym this season. The players they’re responsible for will be safer and, in a more pragmatic way, their teams will be better positioned to avoid the injuries that can kill a season.

Let’s be clear: In no way does cognitive training force players to adopt a passive or contact averse style – USA Hockey is known for its rough and tumble play, and the CHL is decidedly “North American”. Rather, it hones readiness for contact while improving overall production on the ice.

Still not convinced? Well, take a look at the guy many people say had the best hockey sense ever, Wayne Gretzky. His innate spatial awareness and anticipation meant he rarely got hit, despite not being the fastest guy on the ice and being small in stature.

His hockey sense led to a long career that was not plagued by injuries brought on by unanticipated contact. The Hockey IntelliGym is not going to turn the Regina Pats or Notre Dame Fighting Irish (or even your kids if they train with the IntelliGym) into The Great One. However, the evidence suggests it will make them safer and improve their play.

Pretty good move, I’d say.