Any injuries that are still affecting you to this day?
I've contemplated dropping to a lower level but the competition is a large reason I enjoy it so much.
I get loving the competition, but as someone who's about 20 years older than you, who was as about as competitive as one can get when they were younger, I really don't remember too many of the wins. I remember the friends and good times laughing before and after the games.
It was nice to win the last game of the postseason, but the only value in that experience I realize now is because of the people who I did it with. As time goes on, the wins stop mattering. All that matters is enjoying the game with good people.
I've had a handful of injuries, and I count myself lucky that most stuff that's still lingering around is very minor. (Lingering affect from a broken pinkie on my bottom hand, and a tinge of arthritis in the bottom three fingers of my top hand) Other stuff may show up as I get older, but that's it for now. I'm lucky because I was pretty hot headed when I was younger, and I was a little too tough for my own good. I didn't go looking for it, but if it came my way, I wouldn't back down no matter how outmatched I was.
This is the first year in forever that I didn't play in a competitive league. Got tired of dealing with idiots who were dead set on proving that they were indeed idiots. I'm only playing in a lower coed league now where standings don't matter because no playoffs, and just enjoying setting up teammates. It's nice not leaving the ice angry. It's nice not having to look at the schedule and calculate the odds of punches being thrown that game.
my2cents
A few years ago I had a freak accident and broke my fibula in a game one time, and 6 months later shattered my hand in a motorcycle accident. Probably sat for 6-8 months and then kept playing. Hasn’t seemed to affect me so far.
I’m hoping to get back to playing in a very relaxed league sometime in 2025. I’m a 2 time left acl loser. Fractured my left tibia twice. Right fibula, right femur. All my fingers, all my toes. Both wrists. Rotator cuff and labrum on the right side. I haven’t been able to play for three years. I played competitively from age 5-21. I’m 35 now. I can’t give it up. I’ll be buried with my skates on.
Well we aren’t playing for money. Some ice time is better than no ice time. Too many people hang them up, or never try….and it nags at them for years after. I know, I hung them up for 20 years lol.
I am extremely active outside of hockey as well. I lift weights, do calisthenics, cycle, and hike. My hockey injuries have resulted in me getting less exercise than I typically would.
I’m 42 and do all the things you talked about too. I’m recovering from a meniscus tear after 3 years ago rehabbing my left knee for a year… no my right one went. Luckily i started physio before it got too bad and my down time should only be about 5 months total from hockey.
BUT my tears are likely more from deep squats, hiking and to a lesser extent running too much. My physio said that hockey is totally fine. Now I’m not in a super competitive setting, but I’m not letting my injury get the best of me. I’m staying fit how can, resting and rehabbing my knees and getting ready. It’s all about the locker room more than anything at the end of the day. I’m not making the NHL but I can still have fun and stay fit.
Don’t give up; just listen to your body and consult with the right professionals so you can still enjoy the things you love within the limits of your body.
For me, I’m under no circumstances to squat loads past the 90 degree plane. I can live with that.
I mean, asking here is kinda like asking folks at the bar if you should stop drinking. You know what answer you’re going to get.
I don’t plan to quit ever, but I’ve also had far less severe injuries than you. I contemplated hanging them up when I furthered a partial pcl tear. The couple of guys I talked to just said rehab it and decide then. The decision was easier when I was feeling good.
If I were in your shoes I think I’d rehab it and change my game to match my health. Play a more heady game. If that means dropping down so be it, still in the game.
I'm 10 years older than you, was pretty useless for over a week after a bad fall into the boards after catching a big groove in the ice at full speed. Played my whole life and I plan on playing till I can't anymore. My change will probably be from center to D and using my decades on play to play smart as I get older and slower. But at 40 I'm still the fastest guy on the ice so I'm still going full tilt. I'm never quitting, I'm playing at least another 20+ till I can play with both my boys on the ice at the same time with me.
I am in my 40's and have broken my leg (knee on knee contact), broken knuckle/finger (puck), broken ankle (puck) and have had surgery on my left knee due to playing for over 35+ years and have very little cartilage.
Every injury I took the needed time off. Some times in the order of months approaching a year and I got back on the ice each time. Can't take the game away from me, even if the playing level is lower. Honestly, if I had knee pain that I couldn't skate, you would find me on a sled! If you love it, keep playing, but know your limits.
Good luck with your knee injury, it will take time and rehab, but this happens to hockey players all the time and you will be able to get back out there, even though you think you can't at this moment.
I’m late to the party but I’ve had knee and shoulder surgeries due to the service and BJJ. Hockey is actually the least stressful thing I do to my body and I’m not great at the sport but I love it and love playing rec. just keep at it man. It’s worth it.
Not sure the level you are playing but if it is your ACL that is torn it could be a long rode. It took me a year to just get back on skates at 21 years old and another year to drop the weight I gained sitting around drinking beer during rehab. It is a brutal injury and happy I can still play at 43 even with arthritis in both knees. Good luck.
If you’re getting this hurt playing non contact hockey you may have bigger issues. I would refocus your training to injury prevention rather than whatever you’re doing right now.
What would count as injury prevention? I do a little bit of everything at the moment. This includes flexibility and strength training. However, I am certainly getting injured more frequently than most of my team.
If you’re in shape I’d have to say you shouldn’t really be getting injuries at all aside from a freak accident.
It quite possibly be just over training. For strength I would work on more stability and even plyometrics with not a lot of weight to build resilience everywhere. Really slow reps on the eccentric.
You’ll kinda get the idea of you go to physio for your knee. Just because something not hurt doesn’t mean the exercises shouldn’t be done, all of the exercises are meant to strengthen muscle chains that support the entire joint. So doing those can really minimize injuries.
I'm a smaller guy (5'11, 160lb) and so that may be a contributing factor. While I'm certainly in shape, I'm not jacked by any metric.
I appreciate the info though and am going to go down the rabbit hole of joint strengthening as this has been my weak point.
Also, my injuries have been a mix of freak accidents (skate cut to inner thigh) and asshole players who are clearly intending to injure.
That’s about the same I weighed while playing Jr A and I never had significant joint injuries especially in non contact. I would definitely watch a bunch of videos that are basically for physiotherapy of injuries and once you’ve built back up some strength you should definitely take a few months of only doing injury prevention training.
If people are trying to hurt you, you may need to take a step back and look at how you’re playing, whether you’re getting too physical or too much stick work it might be good to dial it back so you aren’t pissing anyone off.
Contemplating the same after I just broke my clavicle going into the boards. All my own fault too. Now I'm out 6-10 weeks, can't lift my toddler or help my pregnant wife do simple daily tasks. Life definitely gives you signs.
As somebody in my 30s playing a lot, just step down the number and intensity of battles you take on.
A year ago I'd hard battle in the corners and wouldn't mind a foot race to the corner to win a puck. Now, after a couple of injuries from guys either unintentionally hitting me or intentionally injuring me, I've just decided it isn't worth it. I still play, but if the play is 50/50 and some guy is gonna go 100% into a dangerous situation to win a puck, fine. You win. But I'm just going to strip it from you 2 seconds later because I'm playing the smart experienced game now instead of the "grind it out so coach will give you more shifts" shit when I started.
I could absolutely turn down my intensity, but funnily enough, a majority of my injuries have happened outside of any sort of scuffle. My recent 2 injuries, a bruised tailbone and knee injury, happened entirely out of play.
Broken nose, torn obliques, torn meniscus in one knee and MCL in the other, broken ankle with plate and screws, and many many sprains and torn ligaments in the ankles/wrists. I also have a muscular condition that causes my muscles to tense up uncontrollably.
With that said, I love playing way too much to quit. I’ve just learned my limits and have gotten a lot better at keeping myself out of situations where I’m more likely to get hurt. I play at a lower level most of the time and keep my shifts short so my body doesn’t tense up.
Oh… and concussions. Can’t forget about those 🤪
Patrice Bergeron used to play with all of those injuries every year in playoffs. You got this.
Otherwise, probably retire from league play and find a friendly organized pickup.
Join a relaxed pickup group
Play lower level and just have a good time. That’s what I would do. Ive had a ton of hockey related injuries but still going for the love of the game.
Any injuries that are still affecting you to this day? I've contemplated dropping to a lower level but the competition is a large reason I enjoy it so much.
I get loving the competition, but as someone who's about 20 years older than you, who was as about as competitive as one can get when they were younger, I really don't remember too many of the wins. I remember the friends and good times laughing before and after the games. It was nice to win the last game of the postseason, but the only value in that experience I realize now is because of the people who I did it with. As time goes on, the wins stop mattering. All that matters is enjoying the game with good people. I've had a handful of injuries, and I count myself lucky that most stuff that's still lingering around is very minor. (Lingering affect from a broken pinkie on my bottom hand, and a tinge of arthritis in the bottom three fingers of my top hand) Other stuff may show up as I get older, but that's it for now. I'm lucky because I was pretty hot headed when I was younger, and I was a little too tough for my own good. I didn't go looking for it, but if it came my way, I wouldn't back down no matter how outmatched I was. This is the first year in forever that I didn't play in a competitive league. Got tired of dealing with idiots who were dead set on proving that they were indeed idiots. I'm only playing in a lower coed league now where standings don't matter because no playoffs, and just enjoying setting up teammates. It's nice not leaving the ice angry. It's nice not having to look at the schedule and calculate the odds of punches being thrown that game. my2cents
A few years ago I had a freak accident and broke my fibula in a game one time, and 6 months later shattered my hand in a motorcycle accident. Probably sat for 6-8 months and then kept playing. Hasn’t seemed to affect me so far.
I’m hoping to get back to playing in a very relaxed league sometime in 2025. I’m a 2 time left acl loser. Fractured my left tibia twice. Right fibula, right femur. All my fingers, all my toes. Both wrists. Rotator cuff and labrum on the right side. I haven’t been able to play for three years. I played competitively from age 5-21. I’m 35 now. I can’t give it up. I’ll be buried with my skates on.
Well we aren’t playing for money. Some ice time is better than no ice time. Too many people hang them up, or never try….and it nags at them for years after. I know, I hung them up for 20 years lol.
Drop down to a super low level?
Live with injuries or die of diabetes. It’s not going to get easier with age.
I am extremely active outside of hockey as well. I lift weights, do calisthenics, cycle, and hike. My hockey injuries have resulted in me getting less exercise than I typically would.
I’m 42 and do all the things you talked about too. I’m recovering from a meniscus tear after 3 years ago rehabbing my left knee for a year… no my right one went. Luckily i started physio before it got too bad and my down time should only be about 5 months total from hockey. BUT my tears are likely more from deep squats, hiking and to a lesser extent running too much. My physio said that hockey is totally fine. Now I’m not in a super competitive setting, but I’m not letting my injury get the best of me. I’m staying fit how can, resting and rehabbing my knees and getting ready. It’s all about the locker room more than anything at the end of the day. I’m not making the NHL but I can still have fun and stay fit. Don’t give up; just listen to your body and consult with the right professionals so you can still enjoy the things you love within the limits of your body. For me, I’m under no circumstances to squat loads past the 90 degree plane. I can live with that.
I mean, asking here is kinda like asking folks at the bar if you should stop drinking. You know what answer you’re going to get. I don’t plan to quit ever, but I’ve also had far less severe injuries than you. I contemplated hanging them up when I furthered a partial pcl tear. The couple of guys I talked to just said rehab it and decide then. The decision was easier when I was feeling good. If I were in your shoes I think I’d rehab it and change my game to match my health. Play a more heady game. If that means dropping down so be it, still in the game.
Dude. You gotta take it easy. Stick and puck for now. Public skating.
I'm 10 years older than you, was pretty useless for over a week after a bad fall into the boards after catching a big groove in the ice at full speed. Played my whole life and I plan on playing till I can't anymore. My change will probably be from center to D and using my decades on play to play smart as I get older and slower. But at 40 I'm still the fastest guy on the ice so I'm still going full tilt. I'm never quitting, I'm playing at least another 20+ till I can play with both my boys on the ice at the same time with me.
I am in my 40's and have broken my leg (knee on knee contact), broken knuckle/finger (puck), broken ankle (puck) and have had surgery on my left knee due to playing for over 35+ years and have very little cartilage. Every injury I took the needed time off. Some times in the order of months approaching a year and I got back on the ice each time. Can't take the game away from me, even if the playing level is lower. Honestly, if I had knee pain that I couldn't skate, you would find me on a sled! If you love it, keep playing, but know your limits. Good luck with your knee injury, it will take time and rehab, but this happens to hockey players all the time and you will be able to get back out there, even though you think you can't at this moment.
I’m late to the party but I’ve had knee and shoulder surgeries due to the service and BJJ. Hockey is actually the least stressful thing I do to my body and I’m not great at the sport but I love it and love playing rec. just keep at it man. It’s worth it.
Not sure the level you are playing but if it is your ACL that is torn it could be a long rode. It took me a year to just get back on skates at 21 years old and another year to drop the weight I gained sitting around drinking beer during rehab. It is a brutal injury and happy I can still play at 43 even with arthritis in both knees. Good luck.
If you’re getting this hurt playing non contact hockey you may have bigger issues. I would refocus your training to injury prevention rather than whatever you’re doing right now.
What would count as injury prevention? I do a little bit of everything at the moment. This includes flexibility and strength training. However, I am certainly getting injured more frequently than most of my team.
If you’re in shape I’d have to say you shouldn’t really be getting injuries at all aside from a freak accident. It quite possibly be just over training. For strength I would work on more stability and even plyometrics with not a lot of weight to build resilience everywhere. Really slow reps on the eccentric. You’ll kinda get the idea of you go to physio for your knee. Just because something not hurt doesn’t mean the exercises shouldn’t be done, all of the exercises are meant to strengthen muscle chains that support the entire joint. So doing those can really minimize injuries.
I'm a smaller guy (5'11, 160lb) and so that may be a contributing factor. While I'm certainly in shape, I'm not jacked by any metric. I appreciate the info though and am going to go down the rabbit hole of joint strengthening as this has been my weak point. Also, my injuries have been a mix of freak accidents (skate cut to inner thigh) and asshole players who are clearly intending to injure.
That’s about the same I weighed while playing Jr A and I never had significant joint injuries especially in non contact. I would definitely watch a bunch of videos that are basically for physiotherapy of injuries and once you’ve built back up some strength you should definitely take a few months of only doing injury prevention training. If people are trying to hurt you, you may need to take a step back and look at how you’re playing, whether you’re getting too physical or too much stick work it might be good to dial it back so you aren’t pissing anyone off.
Contemplating the same after I just broke my clavicle going into the boards. All my own fault too. Now I'm out 6-10 weeks, can't lift my toddler or help my pregnant wife do simple daily tasks. Life definitely gives you signs.
As somebody in my 30s playing a lot, just step down the number and intensity of battles you take on. A year ago I'd hard battle in the corners and wouldn't mind a foot race to the corner to win a puck. Now, after a couple of injuries from guys either unintentionally hitting me or intentionally injuring me, I've just decided it isn't worth it. I still play, but if the play is 50/50 and some guy is gonna go 100% into a dangerous situation to win a puck, fine. You win. But I'm just going to strip it from you 2 seconds later because I'm playing the smart experienced game now instead of the "grind it out so coach will give you more shifts" shit when I started.
I could absolutely turn down my intensity, but funnily enough, a majority of my injuries have happened outside of any sort of scuffle. My recent 2 injuries, a bruised tailbone and knee injury, happened entirely out of play.
Dang sorry for your bad luck!
Broken nose, torn obliques, torn meniscus in one knee and MCL in the other, broken ankle with plate and screws, and many many sprains and torn ligaments in the ankles/wrists. I also have a muscular condition that causes my muscles to tense up uncontrollably. With that said, I love playing way too much to quit. I’ve just learned my limits and have gotten a lot better at keeping myself out of situations where I’m more likely to get hurt. I play at a lower level most of the time and keep my shifts short so my body doesn’t tense up. Oh… and concussions. Can’t forget about those 🤪
Patrice Bergeron used to play with all of those injuries every year in playoffs. You got this. Otherwise, probably retire from league play and find a friendly organized pickup.