New findings from a cooperative medical study are showing further evidence of damage caused by concussion in young Canadian hockey players. The Hockey Concussion Education Project - a collaboration of specialists from Canada and the United States - provided new physical evidence on Tuesday identifying early brain change as a result of concussions and observed that diagnosed concussion incidence was 3-5 times higher than previously reported. Using advanced MRI imaging and analysis on 45 male and female adult CIS hockey players over the course of a season, the study revealed that clinically-diagnosed concussions are resulting in small, multimodal organic changes in the brains of athletes that have suffered them. The HCEP study adds that that a history of concussion may result in alterations of the brains white matter make-up. White matter affects how the brain learns and functions by transmitting signals from one part of the brain to the other. Also, comparisons between male and female athletes in the study showed that while male athletes had more significant Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) MRI findings, female athletes demonstrated a higher incidence of concussion. "What are our societal goals - will we foster the development of our young peoples cognitive, social and physical potential in a safe and protected environment - or will we continue to teach and reward a culture of violence and accepted brain injuries as part of the game?," said Dr. Paul Echlin, the lead author of the study. "Are we able to evolve and make significant or even radical changes in the sports themselves based on the scientific evidence of too many serious short and long-term brain injuries?" HCEP - conducted by Harvard Medical School/Brigham and the Womens Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital/Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging/Western University of Canada - has published peer-reviewed scientific findings twice (2010 and 2012) highlighting the high incidence of concussion and the damage inflicted on young hockey players. For this study, the CIS players were asked to undergo MRIs at the beginning and end of the season. Those who had suffered concussions had MRIs within 72 hours of the brain injury and again at two weeks and at two months. Steven Kampfer Bruins Jersey . Johansen scored twice and Derek MacKenzie, Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson also had goals to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, ending a three-game losing skid. Joakim Nordstrom Jersey . In his first game with Boston University, the 17-year-old Eichel picked up five assists as his Boston University Terriers thumped St. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/ste...-hockey-jersey/. Not to be outdone, Atletico Madrid bettered its title rivals by demolishing 10-man Getafe 7-0 with Diego Costa returning from injury to score with a brilliant bicycle kick. "It was an almost perfect night," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. Gerry Cheevers Jersey . If one fighter gases, he usually gets beat up pretty bad from that point on. Jaromir Jagr Jersey . Sami Vatanen had a goal and an assist and Anaheim used a four-goal first period to extend their winning streak to six games with a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offence, making Dale Sveum the hitting coach and Mike Jirschele their third base coach. Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now instruct catchers. The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto. Sveum said the Royals havent done a good enough job this season of hitting pitches in the upper half of the strike zone. "The bottom line is weve struggled with elevation and weve swung at pitches down in the zone probably way too much," he said. "From thigh high to the top of the strike zone, were not doing enough damage." The Royals began the day last in the majors with 21 homers, putting them on pace to match the 1976 club for the fewest in franchise history for a non-strike-shortened season. Theyre also last in the American League in runs and slugging percentage. "There is not one man in the lineup thats hitting the ball well," Royals designated hitter Billy Butler said Wednesday. "Were just cold." Yost said "a different voice can make a difference," to struggling batters, but the Royals have heard plenty of voices about hitting: Sveum is Kansas Citys fifth hitting coach in lless than three seasons.dddddddddddd The Royals let go of Kevin Seitzer two years ago in the hope that somebody else would help the club generate more power. Seitzer was eventually hired by the Blue Jays, who currently lead the majors with 76 homers -- more than Kansas City is on pace for all season. Jack Maloof and Andre David were hired before last season, but they only made it a couple of months before they were reassigned within the franchise. It was at that point that the Royals hired Grifol and Hall of Famer George Brett on an interim basis. The Royals showed signs of life once that duo was in charge, slowly climbing into playoff contention. Grifol was given the job on a full-time basis after Brett stepped down in July, but lasted less than a year in the role. "Hes the one that pulled us out of our trouble last year," Yost said of Grifol Thursday. "A year later, we find ourselves in the exact same spot." Sveum, a former Brewers and Cubs manager, had been serving as the Royals third base coach. But he also has plenty of experience as a hitting coach, helping Milwaukee finish in the top three of the National League in homers in each of his three seasons. "Hes got experience, he studies hitting," Yost said. "Hes got a lot of knowledge. He helped Prince Fielder get, in my opinion, to the next level as an offensive performer." ' ' '