In this episode of The Science of Hockey, we explore a rare and serious case of blunt trauma from a slash to the back of the knee, uncovering an underlying vascular condition—popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Learn how one incident revealed a hidden danger that could have ended a young player’s career and what it means for athlete safety moving forward. Keywords: popliteal artery injury, hockey trauma, slashing, PAES, vascular sports injuries.Slashing is often brushed off as part of hockey’s physical nature—but what if it hides a more serious threat? This episode highlights a case of popliteal artery trauma linked to an undiagnosed entrapment syndrome. We examine how blunt trauma and anatomical anomalies intersect, and what this means for player evaluation and protective gear.Main source: Double Major for Slashing: Management of Blunt Popliteal Fossa Trauma in Ice Hockey in the Setting of Popliteal Artery Entrapment SyndromeBrij M. Singh, Irina Galimova, Tej M. SinghClin J Sport Med. 2022 Sep; 32(5): e543–e545. Published online 2021 Sep 8. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000970PMCID: PMC9415213
This episode dives into how artificial intelligence is being used to analyze elite ice hockey gameplay. Using neural networks and layer-wise relevance propagation, researchers are uncovering the most critical moments that influence game outcomes—offering new insights into player decision-making and team dynamics.Machine learning is changing how we understand hockey. In this episode, we explore how neural networks break down elite performance, highlighting which actions and game states matter most. Discover how AI could reshape coaching, scouting, and strategy.Main source: Neural network and layer-wise relevance propagation reveal how ice hockey protective equipment restricts players’ motionRebecca Lennartz, Arash Khassetarash, Sandro R. Nigg, Bjoern M. Eskofier, Benno M. NiggPLoS One. 2024; 19(10): e0312268. Published online 2024 Oct 15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312268PMCID: PMC11478874
Hip and groin pain in professional ice hockey players is more common than many realize. In this episode, The Analyst dives into the data behind the prevalence, duration, and impact of these injuries—regardless of position. Keywords: hip pain, groin injuries, ice hockey, player health, injury prevention.Over 50% of professional ice hockey players report hip or groin problems each season. In this episode, we explore the science behind these injuries, their long-term effects, and why they’re often overlooked. Keywords: hip injuries, groin pain, hockey epidemiology, overuse injuries, sports medicine.Main source: High prevalence of hip and groin problems in professional ice hockey players, regardless of playing positionTobias Wörner, Kristian Thorborg, Frida EekKnee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020; 28(7): 2302–2308. Published online 2019 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s00167-019-05787-7PMCID: PMC7347705
This episode examines whether fighting in the NHL really boosts viewership. We break down the data on fight frequency and game ratings from 2010 to 2021, revealing surprising trends in fan interest, rule changes, and the evolving image of professional hockey.Do fans tune in for fights—or tune out? We explore how fighting trends in the NHL relate to national viewership across networks, and what this means for the sport’s future in a more safety-conscious and skill-focused era.Main source: National Hockey League Fights per Game and Viewership Trends: 2000–2020Thomas A. Fortney, Liana J. Tedesco, Nathan J. Kopydlowski, Jack F. Korzelius, Sohil S. Desai, Charles A. PopkinFront Sports Act Living. 2022; 4: 890429. Published online 2022 Jun 30. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.890429PMCID: PMC9281541
Skating performance in ice hockey relies heavily on how players recover between shifts. This episode explores how two-minute versus three-minute passive recovery intervals affect sprint speed, heart rate, and fatigue in forwards and defensemen. Hear what science says about optimizing shift recovery and maintaining peak speed throughout a game.Should hockey players rest for two or three minutes between intense sprints? We break down new research comparing recovery durations in repeated sprint skating tests. Keywords: sprint skating, hockey recovery, fatigue index, heart rate, performance optimization.Main source: A Comparative Study of Two-Minute versus Three-Minute Passive Recovery on Sprint Skating Performance of Ice Hockey Forwards and DefensemenArkadiusz Stanula, Subir Gupta, Jakub Baron, Anna Bieniec, Rajmund Tomik, Tomasz Gabrys, Petr Valach, Andrzej Szymon SwinarewInt J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec; 18(24): 13029. Published online 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413029PMCID: PMC8701228
In this episode of The Science of Hockey, we dive into the development of a game-relevant sprint test tailored specifically for women’s varsity hockey. Learn how repeated sprint performance, positional differences, and skating velocity provide new insights into athletic conditioning and talent evaluation. Keywords: sprint test, ice hockey performance, female athletes, skating speed, hockey science.What does it take to measure peak sprint performance in women’s ice hockey? This episode explores a specialized on-ice sprint test developed to mimic real game demands. Discover how researchers designed and validated this protocol and what it reveals about position-specific speed and endurance. Keywords: repeated sprint test, hockey fitness, women's hockey, performance metrics.Main source: Development and Reliability of a 7×15m Repeated On-Ice Sprint Test for Female Ice Hockey PlayersKEIR WILSON, JOEL JACKSON, GARY SNYDMILLER, GORDON BELLInt J Exerc Sci. 2021; 14(6): 666–676. Published online 2021 Aug 1.PMCID: PMC8439675
This episode offers a clinical roadmap for returning to hockey after ACL reconstruction. We break down an on-ice progression model tailored to hockey's unique demands, covering biomechanical stress, neuromuscular load, and psychological readiness.Coming back from an ACL injury in hockey requires more than just rehab—it takes a structured on-ice progression. In this episode, we explore how to safely transition players from off-ice recovery to game-ready conditioning using evidence-based stages.Main source: Clinical Commentary: On-Ice Return-to-Hockey Progression After Anterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionJacob J. Capin, William Behrns, Karen Thatcher, Amelia Arundale, Angela Hutchinson Smith, Lynn Snyder-MacklerJ Orthop Sports Phys Ther. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 May 1.Published in final edited form as: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 May; 47(5): 324–333. Published online 2017 Mar 29. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7245PMCID: PMC5480966
Hip and groin injuries are among the most common in competitive ice hockey. In this episode of The Science of Hockey, we unpack a recent study that reveals how just one ice hockey session can significantly reduce hip range of motion, adductor strength, and increase injury risk. Learn what this means for performance, recovery, and injury prevention.What happens to your hips after just one game of ice hockey? This episode dives into the acute effects on strength, flexibility, and biomechanics—and why regular assessments might be more valuable than preseason screenings. Injury risk, performance, and prevention all come into play.Main source: Acute Effects of Ice Hockey on Hip Range of Motion, Strength, and Pelvic Tilt in Competitive Male PlayersWilliam H. Suits, Margaret M. O’Neil, Kieran J. FogartySports Health. 2024 Jul-Aug; 16(4): 616–621. Published online 2023 Aug 11. doi: 10.1177/19417381231190649PMCID: PMC11195869
This episode explores how vitamin D levels relate to performance, immunity, and recovery in young elite hockey players. Discover how deficiency impacts peak power and upper-body strength, and why monitoring vitamin D is crucial for athlete health.Dive into the relationship between vitamin D status and athletic performance in youth hockey. We break down how low vitamin D levels correlate with decreased muscle power and immunity—shedding light on a vital, yet often overlooked, piece of the performance puzzle.Main source: Vitamin D status and its relation to exercise performance and iron status in young ice hockey playersJoanna Orysiak, Joanna Mazur-Rozycka, John Fitzgerald, Michal Starczewski, Jadwiga Malczewska-Lenczowska, Krzysztof BuskoPLoS One. 2018; 13(4): e0195284. Published online 2018 Apr 9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195284PMCID: PMC5891016
This episode explores how injury-related retirement affects the long-term quality of life for ice hockey players. From chronic pain and physical limitations to emotional struggles and social adaptation, we unpack the challenges players face after leaving the ice for good.What happens when an injury ends a hockey career? We dive into the lives of retired players, examining how physical pain, psychological distress, and disrupted identity shape their well-being post-retirement.Main source: Quality of life of ice hockey players after retirement due to concussionsAnna Gard, Niklas Lehto, Åsa Engström, Pashtun Shahim, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Niklas Marklund, Yelverton TegnerConcussion. 2020 Sep; 5(3): CNC78. Published online 2020 Aug 4. doi: 10.2217/cnc-2020-0007PMCID: PMC7506471
This episode dives into the mechanical factors that drive sprinting and change of direction (COD) in ice hockey. Learn how force-velocity profiles, power output, and technique contribute to performance—and how training can fine-tune them.What makes a player fast and agile on the ice? We explore the mechanics behind sprinting and COD performance, revealing the role of horizontal force, reactive strength, and technical execution in elite hockey.Main source: Mechanical Determinants of Sprinting and Change of Direction in Elite Female Field Hockey PlayersAlejandro Bustamante-Garrido, Mikel Izquierdo, Bianca Miarka, Ariel Cuartero-Navarrete, Jorge Pérez-Contreras, Esteban Aedo-Muñoz, Hugo Cerda-KohlerSensors (Basel) 2023 Sep; 23(18): 7663. Published online 2023 Sep 5. doi: 10.3390/s23187663PMCID: PMC10537788
Hip injuries are a serious concern in elite ice hockey. In this episode of 'The Science of Hockey,' The Analyst dives into research on femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and explores how professional and subelite players fare after arthroscopic hip surgery. From RTS and RTP rates to position-specific trends, we cover it all.What are the odds a pro hockey player returns after hip surgery? We explore new data on return to sport and performance after treating femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) in elite athletes, breaking down what it means for the future of hockey rehabilitation.Main source: Return to Sport for Professional and Subelite Ice Hockey Players After Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement SyndromeIda Lindman, Martin Löfskog, Axel Öhlin, Josefin Abrahamsson, Eric Hamrin Senorski, Jon Karlsson, Olufemi R. Ayeni, Mikael SansoneOrthop J Sports Med. 2022 May; 10(5): 23259671221089984. Published online 2022 May 9. doi: 10.1177/23259671221089984PMCID: PMC9092588
This episode investigates whether concussion education programs actually improve knowledge and behavior among hockey players. Learn how well players understand symptoms, risks, and reporting—and what more needs to be done to protect athletes.Explore the link between education and concussion awareness in ice hockey. This episode reveals how informed players really are about head injuries, and whether formal education helps prevent underreporting and risky play.Main source: Association between concussion education and concussion knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among youth ice hockey parents and coaches: a cross-sectional studyAmanda M. Black, Keith Owen Yeates, Shelina Babul, Alberto Nettel-Aguirre, Carolyn A. EmeryBMJ Open. 2020; 10(8): e038166. Published online 2020 Aug 23. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038166PMCID: PMC7445332
This episode explores the effectiveness of mouthguards and visors in preventing injuries among youth ice hockey players. Learn which protective equipment reduces risk—and which may offer limited benefit—based on data from thousands of players.Are mouthguards and visors making a difference in youth hockey safety? We dive into the science behind protective gear, analyzing injury trends, types of trauma, and what the evidence says about real-world impact.Main source: Protective equipment in youth ice hockey: are mouthguards and helmet age relevant to concussion risk?Ash T Kolstad, Paul H Eliason, Jean-Michel Galarneau, Amanda Marie Black, Brent E Hagel, Carolyn A EmeryBr J Sports Med. 2023 May; 57(10): 571–577. Published online 2023 Mar 14. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105585Correction in: Br J Sports Med. 2024 May 2; 58(10): e6.PMCID: PMC10176392
This episode explores substance use and availability among ex-professional ice hockey players. Learn how pain, mental health, and team culture influence the use of prescription and recreational drugs—and what it reveals about the lasting toll of the sport.Dive into a study examining how retired pro hockey players manage pain and health post-career. Discover the patterns of drug use, both prescribed and illicit, and the factors that shape athletes' decisions long after they leave the ice.Main source: Substance availability and use in ex-professional ice hockey enforcersMichael GaetzSci Rep. 2022; 12: 22204. Published online 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26806-7PMCID: PMC9789070
This episode explores the link between the FAAH gene polymorphism and performance traits in elite hockey players. Discover how a genetic variant may influence motivation, pain tolerance, and resilience—giving some athletes a psychological edge.Dive into the fascinating connection between genetics and athletic performance in ice hockey. We unpack how the FAAH rs324420 polymorphism affects mental traits like persistence and stress response, potentially influencing success at the elite level.Main source: FAAH rs324420 Polymorphism Is Associated with Performance in Elite Rink-Hockey PlayersHugo-Henrique Silva, Valéria Tavares, Maria-Raquel G. Silva, Beatriz Vieira Neto, Fátima Cerqueira, Rui MedeirosBiology (Basel) 2022 Jul; 11(7): 1076. Published online 2022 Jul 20. doi: 10.3390/biology11071076PMCID: PMC9312224
This episode dives into the high prevalence and severity of hip and groin injuries among male ice hockey players across all levels. Learn what movements and positions are most at risk, and how training load, age, and level of play influence injury patterns.Main source: Incidence, Prevalence, and Severity of and Risk Factors for Hip and Groin Problems in Swedish Male Ice Hockey Players: A 1-Season Prospective Cohort StudyTobias Wörner, Kristian Thorborg, Benjamin Clarsen, Frida EekJ Athl Train. 2022 Jan; 57(1): 72–78. Published online 2021 May 26. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0522.20PMCID: PMC8775280
This episode explores the current concepts in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. From game-speed collisions to sideline management, learn how spine boards, imaging, and return-to-play protocols shape outcomes.Dive into the critical care of cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. We cover the latest in on-ice assessment, imaging decisions, and surgical vs. conservative treatment—plus how to keep players safe while maintaining high-level performance.Main source: Cervical Spine Injuries in the Ice Hockey Player: Current Concepts in Epidemiology, Management and PreventionCole Morrissette, Paul J. Park, Ronald A. Lehman, Charles A. PopkinGlobal Spine J. 2021 Oct; 11(8): 1299–1306. Published online 2020 Nov 18. doi: 10.1177/2192568220970549PMCID: PMC8453685
This episode dives into how functional movement patterns and dynamic balance relate to skating speed and agility in young elite male hockey players. Discover why hip mobility, lower body asymmetries, and balance might be the keys to unlocking faster, more efficient skating.Explore the science behind skating performance in youth hockey. Learn how movement screens, balance tests, and hidden asymmetries affect speed and agility—and what coaches and players can do to improve training and prevent injuries.Main source: The relationship between functional movement patterns, dynamic balance and ice speed and agility in young elite male ice hockey playersMałgorzata Grabara, Anna BieniecPeerJ. 2024; 12: e18092. Published online 2024 Oct 11. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18092PMCID: PMC11472790
This episode examines the developmental journeys of elite junior hockey players and the push toward early sport specialization. Discover how hours of practice, dropping other sports, and intense training at a young age shape success and risk in Canada’s hockey system.Explore what early sport specialization really looks like for elite junior hockey players. From deliberate play to deliberate practice, learn how players trade childhood fun for competitive edge—and the physical and psychological risks that come with it.