Sports doctor specializing
in hockey in Quebec
Hockey is one of the most physically demanding sports — contact, speed, and rapid changes of direction create sport-specific injuries. Dr Sébastien Labrecque-Sauvé evaluates and treats hockey injuries at all levels, from recreational leagues to elite play.
Typical injuries seen
in hockey players
Every sport has its characteristic injuries. Here are the conditions we see most often in hockey players.
Concussions
Hockey has the highest concussion rate of any sport in Canada. Board checks, hits, and falls cause traumatic brain injuries requiring immediate management and a strict return-to-play protocol.
Knee injuries (ACL, meniscus)
Sharp direction changes and body checks strain knee ligaments. ACL sprains and meniscal tears are particularly frequent and may require imaging and specialized injections.
Shoulder injuries
AC separations, dislocations and shoulder contusions are typical hockey injuries. In-clinic MSK ultrasound allows precise evaluation without waiting for an MRI.
Ankle sprains and fractures
Despite skate protection, ankle sprains and stress fractures occur frequently, especially at the start of a season. Adapted rehabilitation enables a quick return to the ice.
Hockey groin / sports hernia
Groin injuries (sports hernia / pubalgia) are iconic hockey injuries caused by repetitive trunk flexion and rotation on the ice. They require a precise differential diagnosis.
Care tailored to
hockey players' needs
Dr Labrecque-Sauvé offers a full range of services to evaluate and treat hockey-specific injuries.
Concussion management
Complete protocol including initial assessment, progressive follow-up and return-to-play certification per current guidelines.
MSK ultrasound
Real-time imaging to diagnose ligaments, tendons and muscles without waiting for MRI. Ideal for shoulder and knee injuries.
Guided injections (cortisone, PRP)
Precise ultrasound-guided injections for bursitis, tendinopathies and joint pathologies common in hockey players.
Return-to-play assessment
Full functional evaluation and personalized return-to-play plan to get back on the ice safely after injury.
Articles on hockey
injuries
Clinical guides written by Dr Labrecque-Sauvé to help you understand your injury and treatment options.
Dr Labrecque-Sauvé and hockey
Trained in family medicine at McGill University and specialized in sports medicine, Dr Sébastien Labrecque-Sauvé understands the unique physical demands of ice hockey. He practices in the Laurentides, a region with deeply rooted hockey culture — from minor hockey to adult leagues, injured hockey players make up a large part of his patient base.
His dual expertise in family medicine and sports medicine allows him to manage injuries comprehensively: from diagnosis (on-site MSK ultrasound) to treatment (guided injections, concussion management) through to follow-up and return to play.
A member of the Quebec Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine (AQMSE), he applies the latest scientific guidelines in managing contact injuries and sports performance.
Injured on the ice?
Book your appointment.
Dr Labrecque-Sauvé will assess you quickly and build a treatment plan to get you back on the ice as soon as possible — without compromising your recovery.
Book OnlineCommon questions —
Hockey and sports medicine
When should a hockey player see a doctor after a concussion?
Immediately after any head impact, even without loss of consciousness. A physician assesses severity and establishes a return-to-play protocol according to current guidelines — a player with a suspected concussion must never return to play on the same day.
How long does recovery from a knee injury take for a hockey player?
It depends on the grade and type of injury. A Grade 1 sprain can heal in 2-4 weeks with proper treatment. An ACL rupture or significant meniscal tear may require surgery followed by 4-9 months of rehabilitation.
Can Dr Labrecque-Sauvé treat a separated shoulder (AC separation)?
Yes — Dr Labrecque-Sauvé evaluates acromioclavicular separations and shoulder dislocations, orders appropriate imaging and guides conservative or surgical treatment. In-clinic MSK ultrasound allows rapid and precise evaluation at the time of your appointment.