Injury and Illness Trends in the National Hockey League Following an Abrupt Cessation of Play.

Background: The National Hockey League (NHL) saw an unprecedented disruption to the competitive calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. Returning to play following an abrupt cessation of activity is a known risk factor for athletes.

Purpose: To analyze the occurrence and severity of events (injury and illness) in the NHL and to understand any differences in occurrence and severity between pre-pandemic seasons and seasons that immediately followed.

Study design: Descriptive Epidemiology Study.

Methods: Using a retrospective cohort inclusive of all players on active rosters in the NHL between 2016-2023, public access injury and illness data were collected. Outcome measures included event incidence, period prevalence, and severity (mean days lost; MDL), as well as incidence rate ratio (IRR) comparing pre- and post-pandemic seasons.

Results: IRR for illness peaked in December 2021 (IRR = 62.46; 95% CI 13.65 to 285.91). Incidence of upper body injuries was significantly higher in 2020-21 (IRR = 1.70, p = 0.001) and 2021-22 (IRR = 1.40, p = 0.044) compared to pre-pandemic seasons (Incidence = 17.58 injuries / 1000 player-hours). Injury incidence increased as the 2022-23 season progressed (p = 0.004); injury incidence was stable across all other seasons. Mean days lost (MDL) to injury was higher in 2020-21 (MDL = 18.12, p < 0.001), 2021-22 (MDL = 18.46, p = 0.015), and 2022-23 (MDL = 18.12, p < 0.001) compared to pre-pandemic seasons (MDL = 17.34).

Conclusion: Incidence of upper body injuries increased in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 NHL regular seasons while it decreased significantly in the 2022-23 regular season compared with the four pre-pandemic seasons. This suggests a need to examine if modifiable risk factors exist for determining optimal return to play strategies following an abrupt cessation of play.

Level of evidence: 3.