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, 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 Syndrome
Brij M. Singh, Irina Galimova, Tej M. Singh
Clin J Sport Med. 2022 Sep; 32(5): e543–e545. Published online 2021 Sep 8. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000970
PMCID: 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’ motion
Rebecca Lennartz, Arash Khassetarash, Sandro R. Nigg, Bjoern M. Eskofier, Benno M. Nigg
PLoS One. 2024; 19(10): e0312268. Published online 2024 Oct 15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312268
PMCID: 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 position
Tobias Wörner, Kristian Thorborg, Frida Eek
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020; 28(7): 2302–2308. Published online 2019 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s00167-019-05787-7
PMCID: 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: 2000–2020
Thomas A. Fortney, Liana J. Tedesco, Nathan J. Kopydlowski, Jack F. Korzelius, Sohil S. Desai, Charles A. Popkin
Front Sports Act Living. 2022; 4: 890429. Published online 2022 Jun 30. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.890429
PMCID: 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 Defensemen
Arkadiusz Stanula, Subir Gupta, Jakub Baron, Anna Bieniec, Rajmund Tomik, Tomasz Gabrys, Petr Valach, Andrzej Szymon Swinarew
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec; 18(24): 13029. Published online 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413029
PMCID: 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 Players
KEIR WILSON, JOEL JACKSON, GARY SNYDMILLER, GORDON BELL
Int 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 Reconstruction
Jacob J. Capin, William Behrns, Karen Thatcher, Amelia Arundale, Angela Hutchinson Smith, Lynn Snyder-Mackler
J 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.2017.7245
PMCID: 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 Players
William H. Suits, Margaret M. O’Neil, Kieran J. Fogarty
Sports Health. 2024 Jul-Aug; 16(4): 616–621. Published online 2023 Aug 11. doi: 10.1177/19417381231190649
PMCID: 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 players
Joanna Orysiak, Joanna Mazur-Rozycka, John Fitzgerald, Michal Starczewski, Jadwiga Malczewska-Lenczowska, Krzysztof Busko
PLoS One. 2018; 13(4): e0195284. Published online 2018 Apr 9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195284
PMCID: 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 concussions
Anna Gard, Niklas Lehto, Åsa Engström, Pashtun Shahim, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Niklas Marklund, Yelverton Tegner
Concussion. 2020 Sep; 5(3): CNC78. Published online 2020 Aug 4. doi: 10.2217/cnc-2020-0007
PMCID: PMC7506471