Prediction: In the next few years, hockey could be a thing of the past.

It sounds crazy, but experts say that the future of hockey is in serious jeopardy. That’s because of the rising rate of players suffering dangerous concussions. Which is sparking a lot of worried parents to ban their kids from the sport, so there are fewer talented players rising through the ranks headed to the pro level.

Doctors say that concussions used to be a rare injury for young players, but today, it’s become the norm. That’s because a lot of coaches are pushing players to act aggressively, just like NHL stars. That means everything from slamming opponents into the boards, to pushing them head first into the ice.

And that rough play is causing a record number of young players to suffer concussions. In fact, the concussion rate for Pee Wee players is nearly the same as professional players. And every time a young player hits their head, their risk for everything from permanent brain injury, to death soars.

Experts say that the only way to save the sport is for the NHL to crack down on aggressive players. An anti-rough attitude would trickle down to the youth leagues, and would lower the odds of kids getting aggressive on the ice.

But officials have refused to make the game safer. And experts think it’s because they’re scared that if the game is less exciting, they’ll lose fans.

So, parents of Pee Wee players, what’s the best way to keep your athlete safe? Experts say it’s by spotting concussions early, since many of them go undetected and can quickly turn deadly.

The top warning signs are headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. If that describes your child, take them to the ER immediately.