prevalence of injury to hockey players

Question
can you tell me what the most prevalent injuries suffered by hockey players are? I am a physical therapist putting together a prevention packet for the local high school and rec leagues in my town. thanks.

Answer
Prevalent or most common injuries that you will find below.  I have ranked them by most recurring to the least.

1. Concussions
2. Facial cuts from helmet impact
3. Bruises
4. Separated shoulder
5. Broken leg
6. Laceration from skate blade.
7. Broken neck

With any contact sport, the number one problem is concussions.  But, a football doesn't go 105 mile an hour, where as a puck can.  A lot of injuries are do to the puck impact.  I have seen a lot of kids get hit in the head with the puck and then I have to take care of the laceration do to the puck impact.

One of the things that really scares me the most and that people forget, that all hockey players are, in one way or another, skating on knifes.

Now, I have found two companies that is in the business of hockey player protection.

The first one, protect necks and heads and the other protects hands.
1.  Maltese Hockey: http://maltesehockey.com/
2.  The Original Skate Squeegee: http://originalskatesqueegee.com/

Now the first company uses medical gel that's rated for high impact.  They make one of the advanced (means more money)neck guards on the market.  They are custom fit and there are discounts for team orders.  Plus, they also make a gel pack insert that goes into a helmet to help protect players from concussion.

The second company designs a tool that you place on your wet blades to dry your skates off after you skate.  As a GM / Hockey Director, I can't tell you how many kids and adults, I have had to fix up because...A) they were not paying attention or B) they sliced their hands through the towel that they use.

Now, I hope this also help in putting together your prevention pack.

Rob Lopez - CEO
Pass the Puck, Inc.
www.passthepuck.net