Burke: If you don't want a concussion, be a swimmer

Concussions are simply part of the game.

That's the stance of Brian Burke, the president of hockey operations of the Calgary Flames, who spoke Wednesday at the Canadian Club of Calgary.

While the discussion largely focused on the team's efforts to build a new arena in the city, the longtime executive also voiced his opinion on hockey head trauma.

"The notion that we're going to get rid of concussions in hockey, I say to people give your head a shake," Burke said, according to the Canadian Press. "It's a full-contact sport. If you choose a full-contact sport, there is a good chance you'll have a serious injury ... If you don't want to get a concussion, you can be a swimmer."

The NHL has implemented various measures in recent seasons to reduce concussion counts and impact. In 2011, the league mandated that players showing concussion-like symptoms would need to temporarily leave the game and undergo a medical examination. This season, concussion spotters were added to detect players showing concussion-like symptoms and to recommend that player's removal from the game.

The protocol has proven to have early success, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. At a press conference held prior to the opening of the Stanley Cup Final, Bettman told reporters, "We take player safety very seriously. In a meaningful double-digit percentage number concussions are down this season."

In 2013, a group of former players launched a class action lawsuit against the NHL, alleging the league failed to warn players of the effects of concussions and head trauma. The case remains ongoing.