Loyola Sports Medicine Doctor Is Team Physician for International Youth Hockey Tournament

Newswise — MAYWOOD, Ill. – Loyola University Medical Center sports medicine physician Douglas Evans, MD is serving as team physician for the American team in an international hockey tournament in Slovakia.Dr. Evans is rink side as the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s Under 17 team competes in the Four Nations Tournament Dec. 15-20. The USA Under 17 team is playing Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland in tournament pool play.“It’s an honor to be chosen to care for these athletes,” Dr. Evans said. “These are the most promising American hockey players of their age, and watching them compete in international competition against the best from these other countries will be really exciting.”

Dr. Evans said common hockey injuries include concussions, lacerations, shoulder dislocations, contusions, sprains and strains. The National Team Development Program (NTDP) prepares student athletes under age 18 for U.S. national teams and subsequent hockey careers. Many players go on to play for the U.S. Olympics team and in the NHL. Sixty-seven former NTDP participants now are playing on 27 NHL teams, including such stars as Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad and Phil Kessel. Dr. Evans also served as team physician for the U.S. delegation during the World University Games in Spain in 2015, Italy in 2013 and Turkey in 2011. He played varsity hockey in college and continues to play and coach hockey.

Dr. Evans is an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. He is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.