Ice Hockey Injuries Ice hockey is one of the most popular team sports in many parts of the country. It is a fast-paced game that combines players of many sizes together on the rink with high skating speeds and fast, furious action. Hockey is known as a hard-hitting, collision sport. Players risk injury from high-impact collisions with each other, the rigid boards that mark the boundary of the playing surface, and the goal posts. Impact with a skate blade, long sticks, and pucks traveling more than 100 MPH also add to the risk.
Studies show that most hockey injuries occur during games rather than practices.
However, the use of helmets and face shields has markedly reduced the incidence of injuries to the face and head. Yet, there has been an increase in neck and spine injuries in the past decade. Some players may adopt a false sense of security, believing that they are not susceptible to injury when wearing protective equipment. Usually, however, that's when injuries occur-when you least expect them. Cruciate ligament tears are less common in hockey and seen more in turf sports, such as football and soccer.