Huberdeau, former astronaut Marc Garneau, All-Ivy hockey star Kalley Armstrong and Major General (retired) Denis Thompson joined 170 Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans pledging to donate their brains to Project Enlist Canada for brain injury research. “As an NHL player, I know all too well the impact of traumatic brain injuries, concussions and the relationship to other mental health issues,” Huberdeau said in a Project Enlist release Monday. “I am proud to support Canadian military veterans by pledging to donate my brain to Project Enlist and support research to improve the quality of life of all military personnel who have so bravely and courageously served our country.” “Concussions ended my hockey career, but I managed to recover. Others are not so lucky,” said Armstrong, a former Harvard captain. “It’s important that all Canadians understand that mental health problems can arise from brain injuries, and research will lead to new treatments. I am proud to support Canadian military members to engage my mind in Project Enlist Canada.” Rick Westhead notes that Huberdeau’s pledge comes five years after then-New Jersey Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy became the first active NHL player to commit in 2017.
Lt. Gen. (ret.) Dennis Thompson and former Harvard captain Kaleigh Armstrong, whose hockey career was ended by a concussion and whose grandfather was former Maple Leafs captain George Armstrong, also announced a commitment to the Canadian partner of @ConcussionLF . — Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) August 15, 2022 Huberdeau, 29, is entering his 11th NHL season and first with the Flames following a trade last month from the Florida Panthers. Selected third overall by the Panthers in the 2011 draft, Saint-Jerome, Que. native has appeared in 671 career NHL games, scoring 198 goals and 613 points.
