GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hockey Injuries Statistics

Hockey injuries mostly involve head, face, concussions, and collision-related trauma.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Female hockey players experience about 30% fewer injuries compared to male players

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The median age of injured hockey players is around 19 years, highlighting the risk among youth and young adults

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Male players sustain more shoulder dislocations than female players, with rates approximately 4 times higher

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Players over 30 years old have a lower injury rate of about 7 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, compared to younger cohorts

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Injury severity scores tend to be higher in adult league players compared to youth players, indicating more severe injuries

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Heat stroke and dehydration are less common but notable injuries during hockey, especially at high temperatures, with incidences around 5%

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The typical cost of treating a hockey injury in an emergency room exceeds $3,000, depending on injury severity

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The prevalence of heat-related illnesses in hockey is below 1%, but risks increase during summer or indoor rinks with poor ventilation

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The risk of injury increases with game intensity, with higher injury rates observed in playoff vs. regular-season games

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The average duration of a hockey injury recovery is about 3 to 6 weeks

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Over 50% of hockey injuries result in time lost from play, varying significantly based on injury severity

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Concussion symptoms in hockey players are most commonly reported within 24 hours post-injury, but sometimes take weeks to fully resolve

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About 65% of hockey injuries occur in the first half of the game, often when players are most energetic and aggressive

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Approximately 35% of hockey injuries are head and face injuries

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Knee injuries account for roughly 21% of all hockey injuries

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Concussion incidents in hockey have increased by approximately 10% over the past decade

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The most common injury type in hockey is contusions/bruises, accounting for around 40% of injuries

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The incidence of shoulder injuries in hockey players is approximately 15%

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Approximately 15% of all hockey injuries are fractures, with wrist fractures being the most common

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Hockey players are twice as likely to suffer from lower-body injuries than upper-body injuries

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The injury rate in youth hockey is around 10 injuries per 1,000 player-games

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Over 60% of hockey injuries occur due to collisions or checking

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Goalie injuries make up about 15% of total hockey injuries, with knee and groin strains being the most common

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Junior hockey players experience a higher injury rate than professional players, roughly 22 injuries per 1000 player-games vs. 10 per 1000 in professionals

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The risk of concussions in hockey is approximately 0.76 per 1,000 exposures

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The majority of skate blade injuries occur on the lower extremities, especially ankles and shins, accounting for about 60% of such injuries

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Approximately 20% of hockey injuries involve lacerations, often requiring stitches or more intensive treatment

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Women’s hockey injury rates are approximately 18 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, compared to 27 per 1,000 in men's hockey

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About 25% of all injuries in hockey are due to falls, often leading to sprains, strains, or fractures

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Be aware that concussion symptoms are reported in roughly 23% of all reported hockey injuries

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Approximately 12% of youth hockey injuries are classified as severe, requiring hospitalization or surgery

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Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries account for roughly 7% of all knee injuries in hockey, often requiring surgical reconstruction

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The rate of injury in hockey is highest during the first period of the game, with about 40% of injuries happening early in play

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Roughly 10% of hockey injuries occur during practice sessions rather than games, with some injury prevention programs targeting this setting

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The injury rate among adult recreational hockey players is approximately 8 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, slightly lower than competitive leagues

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The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in hockey, accounting for around 25% of lower extremity injuries

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In professional hockey, injury prevention programs focusing on core strength and flexibility have reduced injury incidence by around 25%

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Approximately 17% of all hockey injuries are classified as dental injuries, often requiring extensive dental repair

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The incidence of groin injuries in hockey players is about 12%, often related to overuse or improper technique

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About 22% of injuries in youth hockey happen during checking or body contact, leading to various musculoskeletal injuries

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Approximately 10% of all injuries occur on ice during fall or collision incidents with players or equipment

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Nearly 90% of injuries in hockey are minor and recoverable within a few days, but serious injuries do occur, making prevention essential

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The injury rate among Canadian hockey players is around 18 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, comparable to rates in the U.S.

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Females participating in hockey are less likely to sustain ligament injuries, with rates approximately 13% compared to 20% in males

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The use of neck guards decreases the incidence of neck injuries by up to 70%

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The use of mouthguards reduces dental injuries by approximately 50%

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Nearly 85% of concussions in hockey players result from player collisions or falls, emphasizing the importance of protective gear

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The risk of facial injuries increases with the absence of full facial protection, with up to 60% of face injuries occurring in unprotected players

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Use of advanced protective equipment, including padded gloves and reinforced helmets, correlates with a 15% reduction in injury severity

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The protective impact of a high-quality helmet reduces the risk of skull fractures by about 60%

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The use of mouthguards has been shown to prevent about 50% of dental injuries specifically in hockey players

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The use of well-maintained and properly fitted equipment can reduce overall injury risk by up to 30%

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Key Highlights

Approximately 35% of hockey injuries are head and face injuries
The average duration of a hockey injury recovery is about 3 to 6 weeks
Knee injuries account for roughly 21% of all hockey injuries
Concussion incidents in hockey have increased by approximately 10% over the past decade
Female hockey players experience about 30% fewer injuries compared to male players
The most common injury type in hockey is contusions/bruises, accounting for around 40% of injuries
The incidence of shoulder injuries in hockey players is approximately 15%
Approximately 15% of all hockey injuries are fractures, with wrist fractures being the most common
Hockey players are twice as likely to suffer from lower-body injuries than upper-body injuries
The injury rate in youth hockey is around 10 injuries per 1,000 player-games
The use of neck guards decreases the incidence of neck injuries by up to 70%
Over 60% of hockey injuries occur due to collisions or checking
Goalie injuries make up about 15% of total hockey injuries, with knee and groin strains being the most common

Hockey may be a fast-paced and exhilarating sport, but behind the adrenaline lies a significant risk—statistics reveal that over 60% of injuries are collision-related, with head and facial injuries accounting for approximately 35%, and youth players facing injury rates as high as 22 per 1,000 player-games—highlighting the urgent need for protective gear and injury prevention strategies on the ice.

Demographics and Player Factors

Female hockey players experience about 30% fewer injuries compared to male players
The median age of injured hockey players is around 19 years, highlighting the risk among youth and young adults
Male players sustain more shoulder dislocations than female players, with rates approximately 4 times higher
Players over 30 years old have a lower injury rate of about 7 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, compared to younger cohorts
Injury severity scores tend to be higher in adult league players compared to youth players, indicating more severe injuries

Demographics and Player Factors Interpretation

While female hockey players dodge injuries more often than their male counterparts and older players seem to skate through games relatively unscathed, the fact that youth and young adults—primarily around 19—face the highest injury risks, with adult players suffering more severe hits, underscores that the pursuit of puck and glory remains a perilous game across all ages and genders.

Health Risks and Medical Conditions

Heat stroke and dehydration are less common but notable injuries during hockey, especially at high temperatures, with incidences around 5%
The typical cost of treating a hockey injury in an emergency room exceeds $3,000, depending on injury severity
The prevalence of heat-related illnesses in hockey is below 1%, but risks increase during summer or indoor rinks with poor ventilation
The risk of injury increases with game intensity, with higher injury rates observed in playoff vs. regular-season games

Health Risks and Medical Conditions Interpretation

While hockey’s icy reputation keeps injuries relatively cool—under 1% for heat-related issues—the high-stakes intensity and costly ER visits over $3,000 underscore that when the game heats up, both players and budgets bear the burn.

Injury Impact and Recovery

The average duration of a hockey injury recovery is about 3 to 6 weeks
Over 50% of hockey injuries result in time lost from play, varying significantly based on injury severity
Concussion symptoms in hockey players are most commonly reported within 24 hours post-injury, but sometimes take weeks to fully resolve
About 65% of hockey injuries occur in the first half of the game, often when players are most energetic and aggressive

Injury Impact and Recovery Interpretation

Hockey injuries, with a typical healing time of 3 to 6 weeks and over half costing players valuable game time—particularly in the frantic first half—serve as a stark reminder that even during high-speed, high-impact play, the biggest risks often come when players are at their most energetic and least cautious, especially as concussions can linger silently weeks after the hit.

Injury Types and Incidence

Approximately 35% of hockey injuries are head and face injuries
Knee injuries account for roughly 21% of all hockey injuries
Concussion incidents in hockey have increased by approximately 10% over the past decade
The most common injury type in hockey is contusions/bruises, accounting for around 40% of injuries
The incidence of shoulder injuries in hockey players is approximately 15%
Approximately 15% of all hockey injuries are fractures, with wrist fractures being the most common
Hockey players are twice as likely to suffer from lower-body injuries than upper-body injuries
The injury rate in youth hockey is around 10 injuries per 1,000 player-games
Over 60% of hockey injuries occur due to collisions or checking
Goalie injuries make up about 15% of total hockey injuries, with knee and groin strains being the most common
Junior hockey players experience a higher injury rate than professional players, roughly 22 injuries per 1000 player-games vs. 10 per 1000 in professionals
The risk of concussions in hockey is approximately 0.76 per 1,000 exposures
The majority of skate blade injuries occur on the lower extremities, especially ankles and shins, accounting for about 60% of such injuries
Approximately 20% of hockey injuries involve lacerations, often requiring stitches or more intensive treatment
Women’s hockey injury rates are approximately 18 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, compared to 27 per 1,000 in men's hockey
About 25% of all injuries in hockey are due to falls, often leading to sprains, strains, or fractures
Be aware that concussion symptoms are reported in roughly 23% of all reported hockey injuries
Approximately 12% of youth hockey injuries are classified as severe, requiring hospitalization or surgery
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries account for roughly 7% of all knee injuries in hockey, often requiring surgical reconstruction
The rate of injury in hockey is highest during the first period of the game, with about 40% of injuries happening early in play
Roughly 10% of hockey injuries occur during practice sessions rather than games, with some injury prevention programs targeting this setting
The injury rate among adult recreational hockey players is approximately 8 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, slightly lower than competitive leagues
The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in hockey, accounting for around 25% of lower extremity injuries
In professional hockey, injury prevention programs focusing on core strength and flexibility have reduced injury incidence by around 25%
Approximately 17% of all hockey injuries are classified as dental injuries, often requiring extensive dental repair
The incidence of groin injuries in hockey players is about 12%, often related to overuse or improper technique
About 22% of injuries in youth hockey happen during checking or body contact, leading to various musculoskeletal injuries
Approximately 10% of all injuries occur on ice during fall or collision incidents with players or equipment
Nearly 90% of injuries in hockey are minor and recoverable within a few days, but serious injuries do occur, making prevention essential
The injury rate among Canadian hockey players is around 18 injuries per 1,000 player-hours, comparable to rates in the U.S.
Females participating in hockey are less likely to sustain ligament injuries, with rates approximately 13% compared to 20% in males

Injury Types and Incidence Interpretation

Hockey's high-speed collisions and aggressive play result in a grim tally where head and face injuries lead at 35%, concussion rates are rising by 10% over a decade, and despite most injuries being minor, the game still poses a significant risk—highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and targeted prevention strategies in this fiercely competitive sport.

Protective Equipment and Prevention

The use of neck guards decreases the incidence of neck injuries by up to 70%
The use of mouthguards reduces dental injuries by approximately 50%
Nearly 85% of concussions in hockey players result from player collisions or falls, emphasizing the importance of protective gear
The risk of facial injuries increases with the absence of full facial protection, with up to 60% of face injuries occurring in unprotected players
Use of advanced protective equipment, including padded gloves and reinforced helmets, correlates with a 15% reduction in injury severity
The protective impact of a high-quality helmet reduces the risk of skull fractures by about 60%
The use of mouthguards has been shown to prevent about 50% of dental injuries specifically in hockey players
The use of well-maintained and properly fitted equipment can reduce overall injury risk by up to 30%

Protective Equipment and Prevention Interpretation

While wearing advanced protective gear like neck guards, mouthpieces, and reinforced helmets can substantially decrease injury rates—up to 70% for neck injuries and 60% for skull fractures—it's clear that in hockey, playing it safe isn't just a game-changer, it's a game-ender.