Injury, Illness, and Return to Play Policy

At Wilmington Seahawks Hockey Association Inc. (WSHA), we are committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all players.  WSHA is dedicated to implementing consistent and responsible procedures for reporting player injuries and illnesses and managing a player's return to hockey activities in alignment with USA Hockey player safety and health policies. This policy applies to all players, team staff, and parents/guardians involved with WSHA.  

Any updates to related USA Hockey policies supersede this policy.

Injuries Sustained During WSHA Activities

In the event of an injury during a Junior Seahawks team activity - either on or off the ice, including games, practices, team activities, or travel associated with WSHA - the Team Manager and/or a coaching staff member must complete the USA Hockey Injury Reporting Form the day the incident occurs and email the completed form to the WSHA Compliance Officer and Hockey Director. Promptly completing this form ensures proper documentation, helps protect all involved, and supports any necessary follow-up.

Injuries Requiring Medical Attention, During or Outside WSHA Activities

If a player seeks medical attention due to an injury sustained during or outside team activities, they must be removed from play.  For injuries that are sustained outside of team activities, we ask that parents/guardians and/or the player inform the Head Coach and the WSHA Hockey Director of the injury. 

Medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider is required for return to play, regardless of how serious the injury is or seems.  Documentation must be submitted to the player’s Head Coach and the WSHA Hockey Director. If the injury is a concussion, please see the Concussion Management section of this policy for additional return to play requirements. 

Only upon verification of clearance will the WSHA Hockey Director notify the coaching staff and Team Manager of the player's eligibility to return.  In cases of disagreement or uncertainty, player safety takes precedence. Final decisions rest with the WSHA Hockey Director and WSHA Board. 

When possible, the player should attend one practice before returning to games. 

USA Hockey members are automatically enrolled in the USA Hockey insurance program. Please see the USA Hockey website for more information on this program.

Minor Injuries NOT Requiring Medical Attention

Injuries that do not require medical attention may be managed by the player’s coaching staff in coordination with the player’s parent/guardian. 

 Concussion Management

In the event of a potential concussion, WSHA follows USA Hockey’s Concussion Management Program.  Any athlete with a potential concussion should be immediately removed from play. A player with any symptoms/signs or a worrisome mechanism of injury has a concussion until proven otherwise.  When in doubt, sit them out. 

The concussion management protocol under the program includes:

1. If the player is unresponsive- call for help & dial 911
2. If the athlete is not breathing: start CPR 
3. Assume a neck injury until proven otherwise 

• DO NOT move the athlete
• DO NOT rush the evaluation
• DO NOT have the athlete sit up or skate off until you have determined
• no neck pain
• no pain, numbness, or tingling
• no midline neck tenderness
• normal muscle strength
• normal sensation to light touch 

1. If the athlete is conscious & responsive without symptoms or signs of a neck injury

• help the player off the ice to the locker room
• perform an evaluation
• do not leave them alone.

1. Evaluate the player in the locker room using Concussion Recognition Tool 6 or other sideline assessment tools

• Ask about concussion symptoms
• Observe for concussion signs
• Memory Assessment
• What venue are we at today?
• What period is it?
• Who scored last in this game?
• Did your team win the last game?
• Who was your opponent in the last game?
• If a healthcare provider is not available, the player should be safely removed from practice or play and referral to a physician arranged. 

1. A player with any symptoms or signs, disorientation, impaired memory, concentration, balance, or recall has a concussion and should not be allowed to return to play on the day of injury
2. The player should not be left alone after the injury, and serial monitoring for deterioration is essential over the initial few hours after injury. If any of the signs or symptoms listed below develop or worsen go to the hospital emergency department or dial 911.

• Severe throbbing headache
• Dizziness or loss of coordination
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Blurred or double vision
• Unequal pupil size
• No pupil reaction to light
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or tremors
• Sleepiness or grogginess
• Clear fluid running from the nose and/or ears
• Numbness or paralysis (partial or complete)
• Difficulty in being aroused

1. Concussion symptoms & signs evolve over time- the severity of the injury and estimated time to return to play are unpredictable. 
2. A qualified health care provider guides the athlete through Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Sport strategies
3. Written clearance from a qualified health care provider is required for an athlete to return to play without restriction (training, practice, and competition).  Only the USA Hockey Return to Play Form is acceptable. 

In North Carolina, a qualified provider who can provide return to play clearance is a licensed physician with training in concussion management, licensed neuropsychologist with training in concussion management and working in consultation with a licensed physician, licensed athletic trainer or physician assistant or nurse practitioner, consistent with limitations imposed elsewhere in the law.

Please review the USA Hockey Concussion Management Program for important additional information.

Illness & Prevention

WSHA wants all players, coaches, officials, parents and team staff to enjoy hockey by staying healthy, and encourages all to follow USA Hockey’s recommendations for managing the risk of spread of infectious diseases, including:

• USA Hockey’s medical advisors support vaccination against viruses as recommended by your personal physician.  Visit usahockey.com/playersafety for more information on vaccines
• Wash hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Clean/disinfect equipment after each use
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your elbow, dispose of the tissue and wash/sanitize hands immediately
• Do not share water bottles, towels or other equipment. Mark them clearly so you know which one is yours
• STAY HOME if you are sick or have been exposed to an infected individual
• Do not try to ‘play through’ the illness

Parents/guardians and/or the player are to inform the Head Coach and the WSHA Hockey Director when the player is experiencing an illness. In the case of an infectious illness, the player may not participate in team activities until he/she is no longer contagious.  

A player may return to play only after following the guidance and clearance requirements set by their physician or the appropriate medical organization.Only upon verification of clearance will the WSHA Hockey Director notify the coaching staff and Team Manager of the player's eligibility to return.  In cases of disagreement or uncertainty, player health takes precedence. Final decisions rest with the WSHA Hockey Director and WSHA Board. 

When possible, the player should attend one practice before returning to games. 

Together, we can create a community that celebrates the joy of hockey, a place to learn valuable life skills, and an environment where players feel encouraged, respected, and inspired to grow as athletes and individuals. Let’s work together to make every moment on and off the ice a memorable one for our young athletes.