Minor Hockey Players Research Articles

The relationship between off-ice testing and on-ice performance in male youth Ice hockey players.

Ice hockey demands a unique blend of physical fitness and skill, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing on-ice performance. The present study was designed to examine the relationship between off-ice and on-ice performance measures in male, youth, ice hockey players. Eleven minor hockey players (Age = 9.8 ± 1.1 years) participated in two testing days: (1) off-ice and (2) on-ice assessments. Off-ice assessments included maximal aerobic power, anaerobic fitness, muscular strength (handgrip and single leg squat), muscular endurance (curl-ups and push-ups), muscular power (standing long jump and vertical jump), and 30 m sprinting speed and acceleration. On-ice testing included a 15.2 m maximum speed test, a 6.1 m acceleration test with a continuation into a 47.9 m top speed test, an agility cornering S turn test, and a shot velocity test. Twenty-four out of 33 off-ice variables were significantly correlated with at least one of the 11 on-ice performance variables. From those 24, 10 were included as predictors for at least one of the on-ice performance variables. Each model was composed of either one or two predictors, where the most common predictors were 30 m Run - Split (6.1 m) Sprint time and 30 m Run - Total (30 m) Sprint Max speed (included in four out of 11 models each). The prediction formulas R2 and coefficient of variation ranged from 0.63% to 0.96% and 1.2% to 15.3%, respectively. Diverse off-ice measures of aerobic fitness, anaerobic power, muscular strength, power, and endurance, and sprinting speed, acceleration, and agility are predictive of on-ice performance. The insights gained from this study contribute to the refinement of assessment protocols, fostering a comprehensive approach to optimizing player performance and potential. Understanding the connection between objective off-ice testing and on-ice performance can support tailored training programs and player development in male youth ice hockey.

Relative Age Effect in Canadian Hockey: Prevalence, Perceived Competence and Performance.

The term “relative age effect” (RAE) is used to describe a bias in which participation in sports (and other fields) is higher among people who were born at the beginning of the relevant selection period than would be expected from the distribution of births. In sports, RAEs may affect the psychological experience of players as well as their performance. This article presents 2 studies. Study 1 aims to verify the prevalence of RAEs in minor hockey and test its associations with players' physical self-concept and attitudes toward physical activities in general. Study 2 verifies the prevalence of the RAE and analyzes the performance of Canadian junior elite players as a function of their birth quartile. In study 1, the sample is drawn from 404 minor hockey players who have evolved from a recreational to an elite level. Physical self-concept and attitudes toward different kinds of physical activities were assessed via questionnaires. Results showed that the RAE is prevalent in minor hockey at all competition levels. Minor differences in favor of Q1-born players were observed regarding physical self-concept, but not attitudes. In study 2, data analyses were conducted from the 2018–2019 Canadian Hockey League database. Birth quartiles were compared on different components of performance by using quantile regression on each variable. Results revealed that RAEs are prevalent in the CHL, with Q1 players tending to outperform Q4 players in games played and power-play points. No other significant differences were observed regarding anthropometric measures and other performance outcomes. RAEs are still prevalent in Canadian hockey. Building up perceived competence and providing game-time exposure are examples of aspects that need to be addressed when trying to minimize RAEs in ice hockey.

Examining the impact of the Respect in Sport Parent Program on the psychosocial experiences of minor hockey athletes

ABSTRACT Models of positive youth development suggest that athletes may be influenced by parent education programmes; however, there is little research examining the impact of such programmes on athlete outcomes. This study examined the impact of the Respect in Sport Parent Program on athlete outcomes among minor hockey players over three years. This study consisted of cross-sectional and longitudinal online surveys measuring athletes’ positive and negative developmental experiences, prosocial and antisocial behaviours, parental support and pressure, and sport enjoyment and commitment. Athletes completed at least one online survey during the study period (N = 366; 84.2% males; 14–19 years of age; M = 15.4 years), and 83 athletes completed multiple surveys for longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectional results comparing athletes in leagues adopting the programme at different time points indicated significant differences in prosocial behaviours towards teammates. Multilevel longitudinal analyses revealed improvements in athletes’ antisocial behaviours towards opponents, initiative, goal setting, and cognitive skills over time, regardless of whether they were in a league that implemented the programme. However, athletes in leagues that implemented the programme during the study reported greater improvements in antisocial behaviours towards opponents, and there were trends with respect to improved personal and social skills. These findings provide suggestions to improve the delivery and impact of parent education programmes in youth sport.

LO47: Concussions in minor hockey players before and after implementation of a policy to limit body checking

Introduction: Concussions are one of the most common sports-related injuries presenting to emergency departments (EDs), and are particularly frequent among players of contact sports such as ice hockey (hockey). Studies of youth hockey players report increased concussion incidence when participating in levels of hockey that allow body-checking. In 2016, an Edmonton minor hockey organization implemented a policy to remove body checking from play for non-elite levels of Bantam (13-14 years) and Midget (15-17 years). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of this policy on occurrence of concussions in male minor hockey players. Methods: Alberta Health Services Sport and Recreation codes (SR = 54) were used to identify Bantam and Midget hockey players presenting to Edmonton Zone emergency departments (ED) during the 2013/2014 to 2016/2017 hockey seasons from the National Ambulatory Care Record System. Injured hockey players with a concussion were identified using International Classification of Diseases 10-CA diagnosis code S06.0. Odds ratios (OR) of concussions among total hockey injuries before (2013-2016) and after (2016-2017) the policy are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Differences were assessed using Pearson's χ2 test. Results: During the study period, 1978 minor hockey players presented to an Edmonton Zone ED with a hockey-related injury, including 272 players with a concussion (14%). Most of the injuries occurred to Midget players (n = 1274). The proportions of concussion were similar before and after the policy change for players of all ages (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.92) and for injured Bantam players (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.55); however, there was a significant reduction in concussions as a proportion of all injuries for Midget players before and after the policy change (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.00). Conclusion: In the initial year of implementation, the policy to limit body-checking to elite levels of play had mixed results. While the policy change did not result in a significant reduction in concussions overall, or for Bantam players, Midget players did experience a significant reduction in concussions after the policy change. The reasons behind these age-related differences require further investigation. Moreover, further evaluation of the policy using additional years of post-policy data, as well as hockey registration numbers, is needed to evaluate the sustainability of its effect.

Factors Influencing the Underreporting of Concussion in Sports: A Qualitative Study of Minor Hockey Participants.

The present study is to identify factors contributing to underreporting of concussion in adolescent athletes. Qualitative interviews. Participants were interviewed in an office environment. Interviews were conducted with 31 minor hockey players, 10 parents, 6 coaches, 4 trainers, 2 managers, and one game official. Players were 13 to 15 year old. With selective sampling, an inductive approach of analyzing the interviews was undertaken and themes were identified and analyzed. Underreporting is a complex phenomenon. A number of risk factors related to hockey culture, players, reference others, and rules of play were assessed. Reasons not reporting concussion is accepted in minor hockey. Aspects of hockey culture such as an overemphasis on winning games and upheld misperceptions about the risks associated with concussion were identified as relevant to the underreporting of concussions. Various factors relevant to the underreporting of concussions include player's motivation to win, group membership dynamics such as a player's role as the team's "enforcer," coaches' own motivation to win to further their own opportunities in the sport, and parents' personal financial interest or alternative agenda in terms of time commitments and their child's future career prospects. Our findings indicate that underreporting of concussion among those players interviewed appears to be prevalent and associated with misconceptions about injury risk, and a culture that both reinforces and encourages underreporting with tacit or overt complicity of parents and coaches. Our findings support the need to alter the culture of violence and tough play in hockey by education, rule changes, economic measures, and changes in governance of the sport. Interviewing more stakeholders and policy makers would shed light on such potential interventions.

Exploring Minor Hockey Players' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Concussion

To evaluate minor hockey players' attitudes and knowledge about sport concussions. Male and female Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget level players (n = 183) participating in minor hockey and a comparison group of non-hockey players (n = 57). Survey. Player knowledge and attitudes were evaluated with a standardized questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. Descriptive statistics including cross-tabulations and proportion comparisons were used to report the data. Players had foundational knowledge about concussions; however, more than half underestimated the prevalence and more than 30% were unaware of return to play protocols. Although nearly all players knew what they "should" do when concussed, 33% did not follow recommendations. Players reported more concern and appreciation of the seriousness of concussion than non-players, but they tended to minimize their vulnerability. The most common and helpful information sources were parents, doctors, and coaches, and therefore knowledge translation efforts should target theses audiences. Young athletes continue to demonstrate gaps in their knowledge of concussions. In addition, attitudes toward concussion suggest a developmental trajectory with younger athletes being most likely to ignore current recommended guidelines.

Establishing a “Safety Net”: Exploring the Emergence and Maintenance of College Hockey Inc. and NCAA Division I Hockey

National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I schools compete with the Canadian Hockey League for top Canadian youth minor hockey players (ages 14–18). To address the challenges of adhering to NCAA’s eligibility and recruitment regulations, the NCAA commissioners created College Hockey Inc. (CHI). One challenge facing new institutions such as CHI is establishing legitimacy as a means of penetrating a crowded organizational field. In this paper we examine what forces, actions, and events contributed to the creation of CHI and what forces, actions, or events contribute to maintaining CHI’s relevance in their attempt to leverage NCAA Division I hockey with Canadian players and parents. Educational Opportunities, Student Life Experiences, Player Development, and Professional Hockey Opportunities were found to be discursive strategies used by CHI to gain pragmatic legitimacy and maintain the institution. Exploration of these strategies makes a number of practical and theoretical contributions to the field of sport management.

Effects of Changing Body-Checking Rules on Rates of Injury in Minor Hockey

In this study we explored the effects of the 2002 rule change in Ontario minor hockey, in which body-checking was introduced at the atom (ages 9-10) instead of the peewee (previously ages 12-13) age level. It was hypothesized that the introduction of body-checking at younger ages would result in higher overall rates of injury to minor hockey players, with concomitant increases in neurotraumatic injuries. Participants included injured minor hockey players between the ages of 7 and 14 years in the Kingston area of Ontario, Canada. The Kingston sites of the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program were used to identify injuries that presented to the only 2 emergency departments in this community. In our analyses, we compared rates and patterns of injury that required hospital-based emergency medicine care before (1997-1998 to 2001-2002 seasons) and after (2002-2003 to 2006-2007 seasons) implementation of the body-checking rule change. Overall rates of injury to minor hockey players declined in the years after the rule change. Rates of injury attributable to body-checking, as well as the natures and anatomic sites of injury caused by body-checking, remained consistent in the 2 study periods. In this historical study, we did not observe an increase in the overall rates of injury and concomitant neurotraumatic events. Increased enforcement of playing rules as well as temporal declines in emergency department use may have contributed to these findings.

An Analysis of Head Impact Profiles and Safe Hockey Behaviors in Youth Hockey Players

Abstract Although injury risk factors can be described in biomechanical terms, previous research has not described the relationship between style of play and the frequency and magnitude of head impacts. This paper is focused on the analysis of head impact profiles and safe hockey behaviors demonstrated during contact situations in a cohort of 13 Bantam-aged minor hockey players. Head impacts sustained at 27 home games during the 2006–2007 season were measured using the Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS). Hockey helmets (Canadian Standards Association approved) were equipped with six linear accelerometers and a wireless system that transmitted data to a receiver interfaced with a computer. Nine games were recorded using a field videography system to capture player collisions. A HITS profile was determined, which included the number of impacts (>10 g) (“g”=m/sec2) by player, the total number of impacts, the average number of impacts per game, and the mean linear acceleration value for all impacts per player. Based on these results, ten taped trials for the players sustaining greater than 180 total impacts over the season were qualitatively analyzed using a checklist to examine the safe hockey behaviors associated with body contacts. We captured 2753 head impacts over the season, with the average number of impacts per player per game ranging from 3 to 16 with a mean linear acceleration of 15.8 g (standard deviation=13.76). The checklist of safe hockey behaviors was used to analyze skating performance for a group of five players who experienced more than 180 impacts, with some impact magnitudes exceeding 98 g. In general, differences in indicators of skating skill, body position prior to check/contact, and actions during the contact were observed. While specific players may be predisposed to head impacts of a greater frequency and magnitude because of their style of play, these characteristics can be changed to reduce risk of potential injury.