Injuries in competitive junior ice-hockey. 1437 players followed for one season

During one season we followed 1437 ice-hockey players, 9-18 years of age, participating in a junior league. We found 128 injuries (9 percent) that caused the player to miss at least one training session or game. One third of the injuries were a result of foul play. The most common types of injury were contusions, sprains, and lacerations. However, fissures and fractures were surprisingly frequent, reflecting foul play with the stick and improper use of the protective equipment. Thanks to the mandatory use of a completely-covering face protector, there were few maxillofacial injuries. The highest yearly incidence of injuries was found in the older players. Prevention of ice hockey injuries is multifactorial, including stricter rule enforcement, improved protective equipment, and better understanding of the forces involved.