Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world. But is it really a safe sport? Some people think that hockey is a violent sport, and they have good reason to believe that. The truth is that hockey is actually a very dangerous sport. It’s not uncommon for people to get injured or even die from hockey. Here’s a list of the most dangerous things about hockey.
Table of Contents
Injuries
When people think of hockey they usually think of great hits and tough players. But the truth is that hockey is a very dangerous sport, especially for women and children. One of the reasons why hockey is considered a dangerous sport is because there are so many injuries that occur from time to time. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call hockey the NFL of sports, in terms of how often and how severe injuries occur. Every year hockey players sustain thousands of injuries that require them to take time away from the ice. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Fractures
- Brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Pulmonary embolism
- Hematomas
- Amputations
- Ruptures
- Lacerations
- Concussions
- Deformations
- And more…
It’s not just the injuries that are dangerous. It’s also the way that the game is played. Some people think that fighting is good for the game, but the truth is that it only adds to the danger. If you want to have a less dangerous sport, then there are actually some alternatives to hockey. For example, if you look up “hockey alternatives” on YouTube, you’ll see that some people play football in place of hockey. While it’s not a perfect alternative, it’s certainly safer than hockey. Plus, you don’t need to worry about injuries sustained from fighting in hockey.
Risky Behaviors
Let’s be honest, as much as we love a good hockey fight, most of us are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when watching hockey. Drinking and drug use are probably the most common and dangerous behaviors that people get involved in while watching hockey. Some people even believe that hockey is an open invitation for drug use, since the players are always around each other and the ice surface. The NHL released a report last year with the alarming stat that in the last five years, more than 100 major-league players have been suspended for using or dealing steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. It’s not just the big stars that are involved in drug use either. Middle school and high school athletes are, too.
Other risky behaviors include drinking and driving. It’s not just a coincidence that almost all the major roads and highways in and around hockey cities lead to the rink. Watching hockey means drinking and driving are inevitable. It’s also very common for people to get into accidents due to distracted driving. This is why it’s imperative to install cameras in your home to monitor who comes to visit and how often.
Overtly Sexual Behavior
There’s also the matter of the sexually suggestive commentary and actions by the announcers that call the games. While some people might find this funny and harmless, it’s actually a form of sexual harassment. And it’s not just the commentators either, as players and members of the hockey community are also guilty of this. A women’s league hockey team from the UK complained last year that they weren’t allowed to wear revealing clothing, saying that it created an unwanted sexual atmosphere. It’s one thing to suggestively comment on the game, but it’s another thing entirely to touch on sexually provocative topics like drinking, drug use, and violence.
It’s not just the commentary or the players that objectify women, either. Women and girls are frequently the victims of sexual assault and harassment in sports. In the most recent year, the AHA reported that 82 women and girls were sexually assaulted or harassed while playing hockey, including being groped, grabbed, and fondled. And this is just the physical harassment that we know about, because many victims choose not to come forward because they’re worried about being ridiculed or not being believed. It is important to note here that not all sexual assaults or harassment in sports are committed by men. In fact, a 2017 study found that women were more likely to be harassed or assaulted by coaches or team owners, rather than players.
Violence
Finally, there’s the issue of violence. It’s not just hockey fans that get into fights while watching hockey, players themselves often get into fights on the ice. And it’s not just the fights either, as players sometimes carry these fights onto the ice after the whistle. It’s not just the fights either, as players sometimes carry these fights onto the ice after the whistle. Throwing punches, kicks, and slapping are also common and often go unpunished, especially in the NHL. And it’s not just the violence that occurs on the ice, as home games sometimes turn into violent brawls, with fights breaking out in the stands as well.
It’s not just the fights either, as players sometimes carry these fights onto the ice after the whistle. Throwing punches, kicks, and slapping are also common and often go unpunished, especially in the NHL. And it’s not just the fights either, as home games sometimes turn into violent brawls, with fights breaking out in the stands as well.
It’s not just the violence, either. There’s also the fact that the NHL is one of the least-regulated industries in terms of drug use, making it a hotbed for performance-enhancing drugs. Many stars have been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs, including Marc-Andre Fleury, the greatest goalie of all time. Plus, as we’ve established, risky behaviors like drinking and driving are very common while watching hockey, and it’s not just the accidents and injuries that are caused by these behaviors, but the fact that they make you more susceptible to getting into other kinds of accidents. It’s not just the violence either, as there are frequent injuries and deaths from hockey, making it one of the most dangerous sports. It’s not just the injuries either, as there are frequent injuries and deaths from hockey, making it one of the most dangerous sports. It’s not just the injuries either, as there are frequent injuries and deaths from hockey, making it one of the most dangerous sports. It’s not just the injuries either, as there are frequent injuries and deaths from hockey, making it one of the most dangerous sports.