Dr. Vyas: Dryland conditioning is just as important as on-ice training. Some of the most common injuries are hip, back, knee, and shoulder. Dryland conditioning that focuses on strengthening the lower back, upper body, and hip adductors may help prevent some of the more commonly seen injuries that result from improper mechanics and poor conditioning. Stretching of hip flexors and strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, strengthening of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and proper skating technique as taught and constantly monitored by a skating coach will help minimize these common youth hockey injuries. Strengthening of the upper body and neck muscles may also help decrease the severity of concussions. Also, don’t forget appropriate protective equipment by using helmets and face masks.