Testing links will be sent directly to the primary account-holder parent or guardian listed in the player’s McKinney Ice Hockey registration account.

Please watch for an email from McKinney Ice Hockey and check your junk/spam folder if you do not see it. Each link or access code is assigned to a specific player and must not be forwarded, shared, or used by another athlete.

The primary account-holder parent or guardian should supervise the entire testing session. Parent/guardian supervision helps ensure that the player tests in a suitable environment, follows directions independently, and provides an accurate effort.

A parent or guardian may help with:

• Opening the testing link or app.
• Logging in or entering the assigned access code.
• Confirming the player is using the correct device and is in a quiet setting.
• Addressing basic setup or technical issues.

A parent or guardian should not help with answers, explain test items, suggest responses, coach the player through the assessment, or influence the balance-testing results.

Under USA Hockey concussion policy, any athlete who is removed from a practice, game, or other hockey activity because of a suspected concussion is not permitted to return to play that day. The athlete must be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider before returning to hockey activities. “When in doubt, sit them out.”

1. Athlete is removed from play

If a coach believes an athlete may have a concussion, the athlete is immediately removed from all hockey activity. The coach or team representative will provide the parent/guardian with the USA Hockey Concussion Management Return-to-Play form and notify the organization.

The parent/guardian must arrange an evaluation with a qualified healthcare provider of their choice. For McKinney Ice Hockey purposes, emergency-room-only documentation and chiropractic clearance are not accepted for return-to-play clearance.

2. If no concussion is diagnosed

If the healthcare provider determines that the athlete does not have a concussion and clears the athlete to return without restriction:

• Have the provider complete the appropriate section of the MIHC Hockey form.
• The provider must sign and date the form and include the clinic stamp or other identifying practice information.
• Email the completed form to safety@mckinneyicehockey.org before the athlete resumes hockey activity.

3. If a concussion is diagnosed

If the athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, they remain out of all hockey activities until they are evaluated again and their healthcare provider authorizes them to begin a graduated return-to-sport process.

A provider’s instruction that an athlete is “clear to start return to play” does not mean the athlete may immediately return to practices, games, or contact hockey. The athlete must first complete the graduated return-to-sport progression without concussion symptoms. USA Hockey’s protocol calls for at least 24 hours at each step; steps may not be combined into a single day. If symptoms return or worsen, the athlete must stop, return to the prior symptom-free step, and follow the provider’s guidance.

The coach, or medical professional should initial the organization’s return-to-play log for each completed stage. The athlete may advance only if they remain symptom-free

5. Final clearance and submission

After the athlete has successfully completed the return-to-play progression, the MIHC Hockey Return-to-Play form must be fully completed. The healthcare provider must sign and date the form, confirming the athlete is cleared for full participation without restriction.

The parent/guardian must also sign the form, and the coach must acknowledge receipt. Email the completed form, including the provider’s actual clearance date, to safety@mckinneyicehockey.org before the athlete returns to unrestricted practices, games, or competition. USA Hockey requires written medical clearance for unrestricted return to training, practice, and competition.

Note:  The athlete must be evaluated and managed by a concussion-qualified specialist, such as a board-certified neurologist, sports neurologist, neuropsychologist working in coordination with a physician, or a physician specializing in sports medicine with documented concussion-management expertise. Evaluation or clearance from a general practitioner, urgent-care provider, emergency-room provider, chiropractor, or other provider who does not specialize in concussion management will not be accepted by McKinney Ice Hockey.

The specialist must determine the athlete’s diagnosis, treatment plan, readiness to begin the graduated return-to-play process, and final clearance for unrestricted hockey participation.