5 Ways You Didn't Know You Were Going to Get Hurt Playing Hockey

If you play hockey long enough, you're bound to get hurt. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but that’s just the nature of the game. It’s a bit like Murphy's Law—what can go wrong, will go wrong. Even if you played chess, I suspect you could end up with some sort of injury. Maybe you'd get a contusion from an angry opponent or accidentally poke yourself in the eye with a chess piece.

Regardless of how safe chess might seem, there are ways to lower your odds of ending up in the ER while playing hockey. Many of these precautions are common sense. Only a daredevil would play without shin guards and elbow pads. Helmets are a must. Anyone who enjoys using their hands wouldn’t play without gloves. While we know the basics, there are some risks that you might not have considered.

1. Lindrosed

How good is your helmet really? Both Eric Lindros and his brother, Brett, had to leave the NHL early due to post-concussion syndrome. Many believe that if they had kept their heads up, they might have had longer careers. A better helmet could have helped, too. Avoiding Scott Stevens would have been wise for at least one of them.

Even though the chance of being bulldozed by Scott Stevens is low, wearing a helmet is essential. However, there are details about helmets that you might not know. One crucial detail is that your helmet has an expiration date. Approved hockey helmets today have two stickers on the back: the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) sticker and the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) sticker.

The HECC sticker is found on every approved hockey helmet sold in the United States and has an expiration date indicating when the helmet will no longer provide adequate protection. This typically ranges from 4 to 5 years after purchase, with a maximum of 6.5 years from the production date. Did you know that anyone under twenty-one can be barred from participating in a game due to an expired HECC sticker? All players in leagues following USA Hockey rules must wear an HECC-approved helmet.

The CSA sticker indicates the year the helmet was produced and is found on all helmets sold in Canada. A lack of the CSA sticker means a player cannot participate in a youth hockey game in Canada. While CSA stickers don’t have an expiration date, following the 6-year rule is still a good practice.

If your helmet doesn’t have either of these stickers, it’s likely around 25 years old and long past its prime for protection. HECC has been placing expiration dates on their stickers for the last ten years. If your HECC sticker lacks an expiration date, your helmet is definitely expired. The CSA stickers have only shown the manufacture year since 2008. While some items on this list may be optional, there’s no good reason to play in an expired helmet or skimp on buying a new one.

2. Sakiced

You might not remember Joe Sakic missing nearly half the season after the Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup. This wasn’t due to the infamous snow blower incident, but rather a skate blade cutting his calf nearly to the bone. Pro players are well aware of this and similar injuries. Over the years, many players have started wearing socks made from Kevlar—the same material used in bulletproof vests.

I know you may not play in the NHL, but even a novice can get their leg stepped on by sharp skates. Fortunately, several brands offer cut-resistant socks today. Most provide Kevlar protection from the ankle to the knee. Despite my initial skepticism about how comfortable a bulletproof skate sock might be, I’m a big fan of Howie's cut-resistant socks.

3. Maltbyed

During the intense Avalanche/Wings rivalry, Kirk Maltby gave Valeri Kamensky a hard whack with his stick, breaking Kamensky's wrist. I remember watching that game; it was one of the most gruesome sports injuries I’ve ever seen.

Slash guards are an excellent piece of gear to bridge the gap between gloves and elbow pads. Would they have saved Kamensky from missing two months of hockey? It’s hard to say. However, after witnessing Kamensky's forearm bend unnaturally around Maltby's stick, I believe it’s wise to invest in protection. Angry players can be found at every level of hockey. A pair of slash guards costs around twenty bucks, while an ER visit for a broken wrist could easily exceed two thousand dollars.

A newer option is cut-resistant wrist guards, similar to cut-resistant socks. It’s hard to argue that a cut wrist could lead to a catastrophic injury.

4. Malarchucked

In Canada, youth hockey players are required to wear throat guards for a reason. If you don’t believe that skates can cut skin, just look up Clint Malarchuk (but be warned, the images and videos are graphic). Malarchuk miraculously survived a near-fatal injury on the ice. How many combat-trained paramedics are around during your game to save you?

Yes, that’s a plastic toy commemorating Malarchuk's near-death experience. Many people have had close calls with significant gashes just missing their carotid artery or jugular while playing recreational hockey. Spending twenty or thirty dollars on a Kevlar neck guard could literally save your neck. Most players upgrade to shirts with built-in neck guards, which are just as effective and much more comfortable. These shirts range from $75 to over $200 and offer various levels of protection.

5. Sedined

Skates aren’t great at absorbing or deflecting the force of a fast-moving puck. Daniel Sedin missed several games in 2007 after being struck by a puck. In 2009, a slapshot from teammate Alex Edler broke his foot. (Who needs opponents with a teammate like that?) In true hockey player fashion, Sedin finished the game with three assists after the injury but then missed five weeks while it healed.

Skate fenders have become increasingly popular in the NHL, with many players opting for them this season. Just Google "NHL broken foot," and you’ll see why everyone is rushing to buy a pair. After taking a slapshot off my laces for three weeks straight, I finally invested in a pair. They’re well worth the $80 price tag. Made of lightweight Lexan, I hardly notice them while skating. More importantly, I haven’t felt the sting of a puck on my feet since I got them.

Do I Really Need All That?

I’ll admit that not everyone needs everything on this list. I wear Kevlar socks and a neck guard when I play goalie, and I love the skate fenders when I skate out. I have a $500 helmet that I will replace when it expires. There’s no excuse for not having a good helmet.

My advice is to consider how you play and be proactive. If you block a lot of shots, invest in some boot fenders. If you tend to anger others, wrist guards might be a smart choice. If you find yourself lying down on the ice for frequent naps, you might want everything on this list. Remember, if you spent the money on all these items, it would still cost only about 10% of what an ER visit might. Plus, there’s not enough good television to keep anyone entertained while recovering for weeks on the couch. Just a thought.

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© 2025 Scott Noble

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