Injuries in Junior A Ice Hockey

Abstract

This 3-year prospective cohort observational analysis of elite amateur hockey players ranging in age from 17 to 20 years on a United States Hockey League team de scribes ice hockey injuries using a strict definition of injury, standardized reporting strategies, and diagnosis by a team physician. One hundred forty-two injuries were recorded for an on-ice injury rate of 9.4 per 1000 player hours. A player was 25 times more likely to be injured in a game (96.1 per 1000 player-game hours) than in practice (3.9 per 1000 player-practice hours). Game-related injuries were more frequent in the third period, and practice-related injuries occurred more of ten in the first third of the season. Collisions represented 51% of the total injuries. The most common types of injuries were strains, lacerations, contusions, and sprains. The face and the shoulder were most fre quently injured. A facial laceration was the most com mon injury; acromioclavicular joint sprain was the sec ond most common injury. Facial lacerations typically occurred in games and were stick related. Further re search is necessary to determine if injuries in Junior A amateur ice hockey can be reduced by mandatory full facial protection, enforcement of existing rules, im provement in shoulder pad design, and by focusing more attention on stretching programs.