Hockey is a popular sport all over the world. It is a game that not only promotes physical fitness, but it also allows fans to express their personalities and feelings through performance cheers and competitive chants. This game brings a lot of joy to its fans, but it also has the potential to cause serious injury. The statistics below will examine how many people have died while playing or training for hockey, and how many others have suffered serious injuries:
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The Most Popular Sport In The World: Hockey
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), over one billion people worldwide have played hockey in some capacity. This makes it the #2 most popular sport globally, after soccer. Worldwide, the game is played mainly by men, with women participating at a much lower rate. In Canada, where hockey is highly popular, there are more female participants than male. This is also the case in a few other countries, like Russia and Sweden. In terms of the number of participants, hockey is played in more countries than any other sport. The most populous countries include China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil.
Most Popular Ice Hockey Country: Canada
Based on the data above, Canada is the country that plays the most hockey. Not only does this nation boast the third-largest population in the world, it also has one of the most well-developed ice hockey cultures. There are numerous professional ice hockey teams across the country, with many arenas, stadiums, and practice spaces. This abundance of hockey encourages serious play, which in turn, encourages injury. Some of the most popular teams in Canada include the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens, and the Flames. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a part of the NHL for over a century, while the Montreal Canadiens have been around since 1876. The Calgary Flames are a relatively new franchise to the market, but they have already become a prominent force in the Western Conference.
Least Popular Ice Hockey Country: South Africa
In comparison, South Africa is the least popular country in the world when it comes to ice hockey. Only a small number of people play the game there, mainly due to the country’s extreme weather conditions. It can be difficult to play or practice hockey in South Africa, as most facilities only have a surface that is suitable for use in summer. When the temperatures soar, the ice on which the game is played will begin to melt, thus rendering the rink unplayable. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of available ice time, as professional leagues and teams rarely visit the country. It is also worth noting that most hockey-related deaths and injuries occur in countries where the game is still considered illegal, unpenalised, or unregulated. For example, Australia and New Zealand prohibit the game completely, while in some places in Africa, like Sierra Leone and Somalia, hockey is either legally unregulated or banned altogether.
Fewest Deaths In Hockey: Australia & New Zealand
In terms of the number of deaths that have occurred while playing or training for the game, Australia and New Zealand have the fewest deaths per capita. Only two athletes from this region have died in hockey so far. Both of these fatalities were due to disease: Derek Boogaard, who died of an infectious disease, and Ryan Milligan, who passed away from complications of diabetes. Since these two countries have such a small number of hockey-related deaths, it is not surprising that their rates of serious injury are also low. The other regions of Africa and Asia have a higher rate of fatalities and serious injuries due to hockey. It is important to note that the vast majority of the fatalities and serious injuries in these countries occur in either unofficial or unregulated games (either pickup games or informal competitions). It is usually the case that in these settings, participants are not required to wear protective gear (like helmets or protective masks).
Most Deaths In Hockey: Asia & The Middle East
The Middle East and Asia have the highest rates of hockey-related deaths and injuries. These regions are home to the game’s most popular professional leagues, including the NHL and the KHL. There are a number of prominent teams in both these leagues, including local heroes, like Pakistan’s Lahore Lajin, or India’s Mumbai Indians. Each year, thousands of young hockey players from across the region play in formal competitions like the ZOHO Hockey World Cup. Unfortunately, in many places in Asia and the Middle East, hockey is either illegal or has not yet been legalized for use in school or for recreational purposes. In these regions, it is usually only the wealthy who can afford the equipment and uniforms required to play the sport. This makes it more likely that they will be the ones injured or killed while playing. It is important to note that there have been no fatalities in either the NHL or KHL in the last five years.
Most Injured In Hockey: Russia
Russia is the most injured region when it comes to hockey-related deaths and injuries. This is mainly due to the fact that the country still has a significant number of unofficial and unregulated games, where participants often do not wear protective gear. It also does not promote or regulate the sport in any way, so there are no set rules regarding safety equipment or protective gear. This makes it more likely that accidents will occur. Some of the more prominent leagues and teams in Russia include the NHL’s New York Islanders and the KHL’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Every year, thousands of amateur and professional hockey players from across the country play in numerous tournaments and leagues. Unfortunately, this also makes it the region where the most injuries and deaths occur. Since the region does not have a lot of established franchises or teams, youngsters are often forced into taking part in these unorganized and informal competitions, which puts them at a higher risk of being injured or killed in an accident.
Hockey Equipment
There are various types of protective gear that hockey players wear while playing. Protective gear for hockey aims to cushion the impact of a hit, or to prevent minor injuries, like cuts and bruises. This type of gear is designed to protect the head, neck, hands, and legs of the player. There are also different levels of protective gear that hockey players must wear, depending on their experience and the type of game they play. The most basic gear consists of a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and a skin-tight top that covers the torso. More advanced players may also wear a face protector, a chin guard, or a throat protector. In addition to the gear mentioned above, other protective gear for hockey includes gloves, wrist guards, and athletic cups. Many of these items are not only protective, but they can improve a player’s performance. For example, wrist guards can reduce hand and wrist injuries, while athletic cups can increase a player’s endurance and protect them from overheating.
Hockey Related Deaths
Over the last 100 years, there have been 830 reported deaths due to hockey. Of these, 675 occurred before 1960, while only 155 deaths have occurred since then. The vast majority of these deaths (68%) occurred in Europe, followed by North America (22%), and Oceania (10%). It appears that as the game has become more popular, the number of injuries and deaths has followed suit. Some of the more prominent fatalities include:
Alfred “Skip” Johnston
In 1921, Johnston was a professional ice hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens. On October 11th of that year, he was playing for the team against the Toronto St. Patricks at Quebec City’s Capitol Ice Arena. During the third period, as Johnston was fighting for the puck near the boards, opposing player Frank Cusimano, also from Montreal, checked him from behind. As a result of this hit, Johnston was knocked unconscious, and he never played hockey again. He eventually died of a cerebral hemorrhage on January 20th, 1938, at the age of 44.
Dick Durrance
In 1923, Dick Durrance was an American hockey player who died of a cerebral hemorrhage while playing for the Boston Bruins. Durrance, who was 19 at the time of his death, was regarded as one of the most promising amateur hockey players in the United States. He was an All-American, scoring champion, and a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame. On September 18th, 1923, Durrance and his teammate Charlie McGovern were playing for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. During the second period, with the score tied 2-2, Durrance was checked by Elmer Lantry. As a result of this hit, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was hospitalized. In a 1924 interview, Durrance’s coach, Lester Patrick, said, “I have never in all my coaching experience seen a finer display of hockey sense and skill than Dick Durrance showed the night he was carried from the ice in an unconscious condition.” Sadly, this was to be Durrance’s last game. Later that year, he died at the age of 20.