What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
Shoe stores and paramedics are being run off their feet trying to keep other people on theirs.
Troy Davies, director of public affairs for Medavie Health Services West, said icy conditions over the past two days have made for record numbers of people needing ambulances after slips and falls.
As of Tuesday afternoon, he said 17 patients between the ages of 14 and 79 had suffered injuries “bad enough that they needed to be transported by ambulance,” ranging from fractured hips, legs and ribs to typical bumps and bruises.
“This by far exceeds any numbers that I can remember,” Davies said, calling the number of ice-related calls “alarming.”
Davies said it was the most people he’s seen injured in icy conditions in such a short period – just 37 hours.
“Right now it seems like its still slippery out there, so people just have to be mindful of where they’re walking,” Davies said, noting conditions on Tuesday were better than Monday. He said he hopes that means people are getting more accustomed to the icy conditions.
While 17 patients required transport, Davies noted that paramedics also responded to other patients who did not ultimately require a ride.
Davies encouraged everyone to be careful and keep an eye out for black ice when heading outside.
A good way to avoid a fall or injury is by wearing appropriate footwear. The past two days have been hectic for Bob Miller, owner of Traxx Footwear in Saskatoon.
“We like to see those people before they fall and break their arm,” he quipped, noting that many customers have come into his shop in the past day or so having already slipped and fallen, sometimes hurting an arm or shoulder in the process.
“That’s pretty well all we’re getting in,” Miller said, joking that smooth dress shoes aren’t doing much for his customers in the present conditions.
Customers looking for good shoes to navigate extremely slippery streets should look to NexGrip boots, Miller advised. He said key features of the footwear include a tie to “support your foot well in the boot,” a -35 C rating and vibram shoe grips to help stay upright on the ice. He called them the “Cadillac” of navigating slick sidewalks and driveways.
Miller said the boots “make it safe to walk in this weather” – and are on sale. In fact, many customers are even wearing the boots out of the store because of how hard it was to make it there in the first place.
He said the cleat on the boot can also be taken off when ice isn’t underfoot to turn the boots back into a more normal piece of footwear.
Miller also recommended watching where other people are walking, keeping an eye out for extremely smooth surfaces and staying off your phone in order to stay on your feet in this weather.