Concussions in the NHL: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Ice hockey has been identified as a sport with a high risk for concussions. Given the health sequelae associated with the injury, a great deal of attention has been placed on its diagnosis, management and return-to-play protocols. The highest level of ice hockey in North America is played in the National Hockey League (NHL), and concussions pose a serious threat to the health of the players and the game itself. Unfortunately, the scientific literature on concussions in ice hockey is derived mostly from research conducted on youth and amateur levels of play, leaving a gap in our knowledge at the professional level. This narrative review attempts to summarize what is known about concussion incidence, mechanisms of injury and risk factors in the NHL.