The Science of Hockey

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...

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 ho...

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 e...

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 th...

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 be...

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...

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...

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...

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 decr...

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, psych...

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 st...

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...

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 whet...

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 tr...

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 prescrib...

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 t...

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...

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. c...

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 asymmet...

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 pract...

This episode dives into a study combining helmet sensors and video to reveal when and how head impacts occur in men’s university hockey. Learn why glass hits are more common than boards, how few penalties are called, and what this means for player safety and concussion prevention. Discover the hidden patterns of head impacts in men’s hockey. We unpack the circumstances, severity, and overlooked hi...

This episode explores why elite ice hockey players use dietary supplements to manage weight and boost performance, despite the risks of contamination and unintentional doping. Learn how team culture, trust in coaches, and sponsorships shape supplement habits on and off the ice. Discover the real motivations behind dietary supplement use in elite ice hockey. From protein shakes and creatine to anti...

This episode explores how elite ice hockey players rely on painkillers and hypnotics to manage injuries and sleep. Discover how team culture, macho attitudes, and deep trust in medical staff shape medication use—and the risks it poses for health and anti-doping compliance. Dive into a mixed-method study on the use of medications in elite ice hockey. From NSAIDs to sleeping pills, learn how high tr...

This episode dives into a study comparing low back pain across pro ice hockey, football, and floorball players. Learn why hockey players have a 2.18-times greater risk of back pain, what factors contribute to it, and how prevention can protect careers. Explore the hidden burden of low back pain in professional athletes. We break down why ice hockey players are most affected, what movements and con...

This episode explores how wearable sensors measure body impacts in elite hockey players. Learn how video analysis confirms the accuracy of sensor-detected collisions and what it means for player safety and injury prevention. Discover the science behind wearable impact sensors in ice hockey. We examine how well these sensors track body contact, from checks to falls, and their role in improving inju...