OHL Strengthens League-Wide Concussion Protocol with HEADCHECK Health by the Ontario Hockey League

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that all 20 member teams will utilize HEADCHECK Health (HEADCHECK) to execute the league’s concussion protocol for the 2026-27 season. This platform will be implemented ahead of pre-season baseline testing. By extending a system already successfully used by eight OHL teams to the entire league, this agreement establishes a consistent, high standard of concussion care across every rink.

The OHL’s concussion protocol sets the standard for recognizing, assessing, and managing a player’s return to sport. Dr. Michael Czarnota, the Ontario Hockey League’s Consulting Neuropsychologist, oversees the league’s concussion testing and clearance protocols, helping athletes return to sport safely.

This partnership eases the collaboration with Dr. Czarnota, and gives the league new aggregate data to inform future safety and policy improvements. Team medical staff will now perform each protocol action within a single, integrated platform, whether at the home rink or on the road. This transition ensures that care is documented automatically, complementing the medical records and processes already in use by team staff.

A platform that seamlessly accommodates transactions and player movement, a player’s concussion history and baseline data will follow him throughout his time in the OHL. This allows medical staff across all 20 OHL member teams to access a newly acquired player’s complete medical picture on day one, ensuring continuity of care and allowing players to return to the ice safely and efficiently.

For parents, it means a clear answer to a hard question. When a player takes a hit, the same steps happen at every OHL rink, every time, and the protocol is followed through to completion, wherever his season takes him. In the number one development league in the world, that consistency protects more than the moment. The safest path back is also the best path forward for a player’s development, draft year, career, and life beyond hockey.

“Nothing matters more than the health and safety of our players,” said Greg Kimmerly, OHL Director of Player Safety. “Our medical staff are highly trained, and they deserve the best tools available to assess a player and determine the correct course of action. This partnership ensures the same standard of care is applied at all 20 member teams, every time.”

“The OHL now has a platform to execute its protocol and the data to see a significant return on their investment in concussion safety,” said Harrison Brown, CEO of HEADCHECK Health. “We are proud to support a league that treats brain health as part of player development.”

Testimonials:

“I used HEADCHECK last season for the first time, and I loved how straightforward it was to use for concussion injuries. Everything was kept in one place, so I no longer had to carry a binder full of completed SCATs. Having everything accessible on the app and automatically populated saved me a lot of extra time. I found that being able to visually show my athletes what stage of return to play they were in, along with the requirements needed, really helped them understand the return to play process a little better. It truly has been an added asset to my tool belt as an Athletic Therapist.” – Tash Lagacé, Athletic Therapist, Peterborough Petes

“HEADCHECK is a great program that gives Athletic Therapists in the OHL the tools and support to efficiently collect and organize baseline data for our team, allowing us to safely and accurately manage concussion rehabilitation for our athletes.” – Andy Brown, Head Athletic Therapist, Owen Sound Attack

About HEADCHECK Health
HEADCHECK Health is a concussion protocol execution platform built for sports organizations. Leagues, governing bodies, associations, universities, and teams use HEADCHECK to execute their concussion protocols consistently across every team, staff member, and location. Notable clients include Major League Soccer and MLS Next Pro, the Canadian Football League, the Ontario Hockey League, the British Columbia Hockey League, Cricket South Africa, the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, and USA Cycling. Learn more at headcheckhealth.com.