Dr Dan George’s Role as Chief Medical Officer for Ice Hockey Australia
STAR Orthopaedics is proud to highlight Dr Dan George’s ongoing role as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Ice Hockey Australia, a position he has held since 2016.
This appointment reflects not only his expertise in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, but also a lifelong commitment to high-performance sport at the national and international level. As CMO, Dr George oversees the medical governance, injury management frameworks, and player welfare pathways for Australia’s top ice hockey athletes. He works closely with coaching staff, physiotherapists, and team doctors around the country to ensure that players receive evidence-based, sport-specific care — from acute injury management to safe return-to-play decisions.
A unique journey: player, physiotherapist, then doctor
Dr George’s role in elite sport has evolved over more than two decades:
- Before becoming a doctor, he played for the Australian Men’s Ice Hockey and Senior Men’s Inline Hockey teams, serving as Assistant Captain and earning Game MVP at the 2005 Ice Hockey World Championships.
- He captained South Australia’s Under-20 Inline team in 2004 and was Assistant Captain for the Under-20 Ice Hockey team in 2003. He then coached South Australia’s Under-18 and Under-16 teams to national gold medals in 2003/2004.
Before specialising in orthopaedic surgery, Dr George worked as a physiotherapist for the Adelaide Adrenaline Ice Hockey Team (2012–2015) and became Medical Officer for the Australian Men’s Ice Hockey Team in 2015, a role he continues alongside his CMO responsibilities.
This progression — from player, to physiotherapist, to doctor and CMO — gives Dr George a rare 360-degree perspective on sport: he understands what it feels like to compete, to be injured, to rehabilitate, and to support a team both on and off the ice.
From the Ice to the Operating Theatre: Dr Dan George’s Role as Chief Medical Officer for Ice Hockey Australia
What this means for STAR Orthopaedics patients
Dr George’s experience with elite athletes directly informs the care he provides at STAR Orthopaedics:
- A deep appreciation of athletic goals and timelines, whether elite or recreational
- A strong focus on joint preservation, especially in younger and sporting patients
- Practical, realistic advice on return-to-play after ACL reconstruction, meniscal surgery, and other sports knee procedures
- A communication style shaped by years of working with players, coaches, and support staff at the highest level
At STAR Orthopaedics, patients benefit from a surgeon who doesn’t just treat sports injuries — he has lived the athlete journey himself and continues to guide Australia’s top ice hockey players at the highest level of the game. If you’re dealing with a sports injury or considering surgery for a hip or knee problem, Dr Dan George’s combination of elite sporting experience and specialist orthopaedic training offers a unique and highly informed approach to your care.
Working with Ice Hockey Australia keeps me grounded in what matters most to athletes — staying active, performing at their best, and making smart long-term decisions about their bodies. Those same principles guide the way I care for every patient, whether they’re representing Australia or just wanting to get back to walking the dog without pain
- Dr George