Newswise — USA Hockey announced that two Loyola University Health System physicians will be the official team doctors for the men’s and women’s teams at the Winter World University Games, Dec. 10-21 in Trentino, Italy.

Haemi Choi, MD, will be the team doctor for the Women’s National University Hockey Team while Douglas Evans, MD, will care for the 2013 U.S. Men’s National University Hockey Team. Dr. Evans also served as the men’s doctor at the 2011 Winter World University Games in Turkey.

“It was an honor to be appointed again to care for the team during the Winter Games,” Dr. Evans said. “Hockey is an extremely physical sport, so we expect to be busy treating collision injuries throughout the games."

Dr. Evans is an orthopaedic surgeon and an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Choi is a sports medicine physician and an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Evans and Dr. Choi expect to treat a variety of injuries during the games, including concussions, cuts, lacerations and shoulder issues.

“Dr. Evans and I will be able to bring Loyola surgical and medical expertise to the frontlines of competitive hockey,” Dr. Choi said. “We look forward to providing care as injuries happen to ensure the team is physically equipped to meet the challenges of the Winter Games."

The U.S. squads are composed of players from collegiate ice hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The men opened play against Sweden winning 2-0. The women also won 3-2 against Russia on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Dr. Evans and Dr. Choi attended the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Pope Francis lit the torch for the games on Wednesday, Nov. 6, before the torch traveled to Italy’s main university cities and arrived in Trentino for the Winter Games.

The Winter World University Games are an international sporting and cultural festival held every two years. They are second only to the Olympic Games. Sixty countries and more than 3,600 athletes and staff plan to participate. In addition to hockey, the Winter Games include snowboarding, curling and skiing.

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