American collegiate men's ice hockey: an analysis of injuries.

BACKGROUND Reported rates and types of ice hockey injuries have been variable. Ice hockey combines tremendous speeds with aggressive physical play and therefore has great inherent potential for injury. PURPOSE To identify rates and determinants of injury in American men's collegiate ice hockey. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Data were collected from 8 teams in a Division I athletic conference for 1 season using an injury reporting form specific for ice hockey. RESULTS There were a total of 113 injuries in 23,096 athlete exposures. Sixty-five percent of injuries occurred during games, although games accounted for only 23% of all exposures. The overall injury rate was 4.9 per 1000 athlete exposures (13.8 per 1000 game athlete exposures and 2.2 per 1000 practice athlete exposures). Collision with an opponent (32.8%) or the boards (18.6%) caused more than half of all injuries. Concussion (18.6%) was the most common injury, followed by knee medial collateral ligament sprains, acromioclavicular joint injuries, and ankle sprains. CONCLUSIONS The risk of injury in men's collegiate ice hockey is much greater during games than during practices. Concussions are a main cause for time lost and remain an area of major concern.