
Beyond the Boards: How UMP Orthopedic Surgeons Support Minnesota’s Hockey Legacy
In Minnesota, hockey isn’t just a sport; it’s a legacy. From frozen ponds scattered across the North Star State to roaring arenas, hockey is woven into the state’s cultural fabric.
Each winter, players—whether novices or seasoned professionals—take to the ice, carrying on a tradition that binds communities across generations.
For seasoned athletes playing at a collegiate or professional level, every shot, check, or save sharpens their skills and experience—but each move also runs the risk of placing immense strain on bodies they’ve spent years training and perfecting.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of sports medicine physicians, surgeons, athletic trainers, strength coaches, and more work together to help these players stay healthy, recover, and return to the game they love. UMP’s orthopedic surgeons play a vital role in Minnesota’s hockey community, using their specialized skills to focus on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation tailored to the demands of the sport.
Thanks to their expertise, players can step onto the ice with confidence.
The Physicians Behind Minnesota’s High-Level Hockey Teams
Within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, a collection of skilled physicians support the state’s top hockey athletes, providing specialized care that enables players to stay in the game. Among these talented physicians are Drs. Brad Nelson, Alicia Harrison, and Caitlin Chambers—each a team physician for a premier Minnesota hockey team.
Their journeys into sports medicine are as diverse as their backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the ice. And they’re not alone; the department boasts a wealth of expertise, with even more physicians working diligently to support Minnesota’s beloved hockey teams.
Brad Nelson, MD: Minnesota Wild & Minnesota Golden Gophers Men’s Hockey

Dr. Brad Nelson, team physician for both the Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Golden Gophers Men’s team, as well as Medical Director for Gopher Athletics, has hockey woven into his personal and professional life.
“I grew up a hockey player,” says Nelson, who was born and raised in Little Falls, Minnesota. “I’ve coached my kids. Hockey has always been super important to me and a part of my life. I’ve always loved the game.”
When Nelson joined the University of Minnesota in 2006, Dr. Liza Arendt recruited him to care for the Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s hockey team. Over time, Nelson has transitioned to supporting the Men’s team.
“Again, shortly after I arrived in Minnesota, Dr. Joel Boyd—who had been with the Minnesota Wild for many years—asked me if I wanted to get involved with the Wild,” he recalls. “My involvement has just continued to expand from there.”
Nelson’s experience eventually led him to serve as President of the National Hockey League Team Physician Society from 2016 to 2018.
For him, the journey has been guided by mentorship, particularly from Boyd.
“I’ve been fortunate to take care of many great teams, and when it comes down to it, I’ve gotten here because of the great mentors I’ve had. It’s all about finding a good mentor.”
Alicia Harrison, MD: Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s Hockey

When Alicia Harrison, MD joined the University of Minnesota faculty, she didn’t necessarily anticipate becoming a key medical figure in Minnesota hockey. A former college basketball player from Kansas, Harrison’s early sports experience didn’t include hockey—she jokes that there wasn’t even a rink in her hometown. But soon after she joined the faculty, Nelson offered her an opportunity to work with the Gophers Women’s Hockey in 2010.
“What I think is really special—and this is a credit to Brad [Nelson]— is that he has always wanted there to be equitable athletic medical coverage for our Gophers athletes,” says Harrison. “If the men’s hockey team has a primary care sports medicine physician and an orthopedic surgeon, the women’s hockey team should as well.”
For Harrison, her experience with the Gophers has been about more than just clinical care; it’s about being part of a collaborative care team that continues to exemplify leadership and excellence both on and off the ice.
Caitlin Chambers, MD: Minnesota Frost (PWHL)
A Michigan native, Chambers grew up in a place and era when women’s hockey was nearly nonexistent. Similarly to Harrison, she did not play hockey in her youth.
“When I was growing up, women’s hockey was not really a thing in Michigan. Despite this, I was a fan of hockey—I was a Red Wings fan,” she reflects.
Her interest in the sport eventually found a professional outlet when she began her practice in Minnesota. In 2018, Chambers was invited to act as team physician for the newly formed Minnesota Whitecaps, ultimately becoming part of the first all-female medical team in US professional sports history.
Following several league changes for the Whitecaps, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) was formed in 2023, effectively replacing the Whitecaps and paving the way for Minnesota’s newest professional women’s hockey team—the Minnesota Frost. With the Frost, Chambers continues her role as team physician, helping to shape the new league’s foundation in Minnesota.

Days of One Doc Are Done
The landscape of sports medicine has evolved significantly, particularly in high-level hockey, where the demands on athletes are greater than ever before. Now, each hockey team—whether it’s the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, or the Minnesota Frost—operates with a cohesive medical team comprising multiple sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.
“For all high-level sports in the modern era, there’s a collaborative concept to taking care of each team,” says Nelson. “Expectations are so high that you need to assemble a great medical team. It can't be one person. The days of having one doc taking care of the team are long gone.”
For these teams, having a dedicated team physician present at every home game is not just a standard practice; it’s a critical aspect of athlete care. This commitment ensures that medical support is readily available throughout the entire season, enabling prompt responses to any injuries that may occur during games.
Chambers highlights the collaborative aspect of this coverage, noting that she and the Frost's medical team are expected to provide care not only for the home team, but also for visiting teams. The Minnesota Golden Gophers adopt a similar approach for both their Men’s and Women’s hockey teams, ensuring that all players receive the essential medical support they need during games, regardless of which team they represent.
In addition to their presence at home games, the Minnesota Wild are entering their third year of having team physicians travel to all away games. This is uncommon in the NHL; in fact, there are only four teams in the entire league that travel with a team physician. This proactive strategy allows for consistent care and helps support a sense of familiarity, as physicians and players develop strong working relationships and a mutual understanding of one another’s needs.
Prepping for the Season
Before the puck even drops, the medical teams for Minnesota’s top hockey programs go through rigorous pre-season training to ensure they’re prepared for any emergency situation on the ice. Each year, these teams conduct extensive on-ice drills with local first responders, including Saint Paul Fire, EMTs, and paramedics, to rehearse a range of emergency scenarios such as spine injuries or cardiac events.
“In these trainings, we work as a whole team, an entire entity,” says Harrison. “We practice emergency scenarios on an annual basis before the season begins so everyone understands specific needs and any new rule changes.”
In recent years, the team physicians participated in a specialized neck laceration simulation, an essential training as the speed and physical nature of the sport can lead to sudden and consequential injuries.
In addition to emergency training, pre- and post-season physicals are another critical aspect of player care. Each respective team physician conducts a comprehensive, head-to-toe examination to assess any pre-existing injuries or potential issues.
“We do a full head-to-toe musculoskeletal exam before the season, and again at the end. If anyone suffered injuries during the season, we document those to ensure everything is properly managed moving forward,” explains Chambers.
Navigating the Physical Demands
With its speed and physicality, hockey players often face a range of injuries that require specialized care. Nelson, Chambers, and Harrison have seen firsthand the variety of injuries players face each season, from acute trauma to wear-and-tear from repeated movement.
Harrison also notes that people often underestimate the physicality of women’s hockey.
“I think the misconception amongst people who are unfamiliar with women’s hockey is that there is less contact,” she says. “The divide between men’s and women’s hockey is narrowing. It is a very fast-paced game, and there is quite a lot of contact, so the potential is there for serious injuries.”
For all three, AC joint separations are among the most frequent injuries they treat, a result of frequent player falls and collisions. In a regular season, they also see numerous cases of hand and wrist fractures caused by rogue pucks or sticks, along with foot and ankle injuries due to the intense pressure and sudden stops on the ice. Concussions, too, remain a serious concern, requiring careful monitoring and a structured return-to-play protocol to ensure player safety.
The Art of Patience
The decision to clear a player for return-to-play after an injury is both an art and a science—one that requires balancing the athlete’s eagerness to get back on the ice with the need for careful recovery.
Nelson notes, in his experience, the culture within Minnesota hockey is highly supportive of a medical team’s expertise.
“The coaching staff, managers, and players really respect and trust the medical decisions made by our team,” Nelson shares. This trust allows him and his colleagues to focus fully on the player’s health and long-term well-being.
Despite occasional texts from friends or family curious about a player’s return, Nelson maintains a steady approach.
“We don’t really feel pressure to get athletes back faster than when they’re ready,” he says. “I think the art of being a team physician is getting an athlete back as fast as you can, without causing a re-injury or an exacerbation of the problem.”
The Heart of the Game
Nelson jokes that “as a former player who wasn’t all that good,” being a part of a high-level team brings back fond memories and he cherishes the relationships he’s built with players over the years, noting that the mutual respect and gratitude make his role all the more fulfilling.
For Chambers, the most rewarding moments lie in guiding athletes through the arc of injury recovery.
“When somebody goes through an injury, and I’m able to play a part in seeing them come back and succeed in their sport—that’s why I went into sports as a subspecialty,” she says. “I love seeing people return to their passion.”
She recalls a defining moment when the Minnesota Frost clinched the first-ever PWHL Walter Cup in 2024.
“For the first time, we had games with 13,000 people watching women’s hockey. The environment was electric. It was so much fun,” she smiles. “This league succeeding is something that so many female hockey players would have loved to see in their time. And it’s finally happening.”
Harrison also feels honored to support the Gopher Women’s team, and she admits that her love for the game was sparked by seeing her own three sons’ excitement as they watched the women play.
“I feel so fortunate to be part of a team that’s striving to help these athletes succeed both on and off the ice,” she shares. “There are so many parties who really want these student-athletes to not only excel in the sport, but also to grow as leaders in whatever field they pursue.”
Creating a Lasting Impact
The University of Minnesota's Department of Orthopedic Surgery is at the forefront of providing exceptional care, not just for hockey but for athletes across Minnesota. With expertise spanning multiple health systems, UMP physicians are driving lasting improvements in the way athletes are supported, treated, and protected.
Through years of specialized training, hands-on experience, and a commitment to collaboration, these orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians are reshaping the landscape of sports care in Minnesota. Their work ensures that every player—whether a high school athlete, a collegiate competitor, or a professional on the national stage—has access to the highest level of care.