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AgelessHockey.com/17 (Podcast Episode 17)
Jim@AgelessHockey.com (Email Me)
Injuries Can Make You A Smarter Hockey Player
I’ve listed the injuries I’ve got since returning to hockey in 2017.
What caused the injury
Doctor’s diagnosis
What to do to make me a smarter hockey player
1. Right wrist started hurting after playing 20 minutes.
What caused this injury: This was my first game (DIH) in 16 years. My wrist was hurting, because I only worked on my skating before returning to hockey. I didn’t do any practicing with my hockey stick.
Urgent Care sent me to Ortho Surgeon: Severely stretched tendons
Smarter: Don’t try to be a hero, especially if you haven’t played hockey in a long time. If something starts hurting, stop playing.
If it’s been a while since you’ve played: Practice off the ice with a street hockey stick, training ball, Green Biscuit/Snipe. Driveway, garage, basement, etc.
AH 010 – Gift Ideas For The Older Hockey Player (Green Biscuit/Snipe)
AH 013 – Is The Over 50 Hockey Player In Good Shape? (Stick handling & Shooting Training Ball)
2. My stick hit a rut in the ice. The butt end speared me in the ribs just below my shoulder pads.
What caused this injury: Bad Luck – Any rink can have ruts
No Doctor: Cracked ribs (self-diagnosed, because nothing can be done)
Smarter: My shoulder pads from the 1970’s didn’t have much protection.
Got newer shoulder pads that provide better protection.
If possible, upgrade your equipment.
AgelessHockey.com/equipment
AH 003 – Buying Hockey Equipment
3. Skates went from under me and the back of my head hit the ice. My helmet cracked.
What caused this injury: Bad Luck?
No Doctor: Concussion and Whiplash
Smarter: Go to the hospital ER or your doctor if your head gets injured.
Upgrade your helmet.
4. Right toe and ball of foot hurt. After skating for a couple months.
What caused this injury: Old age?
Ortho Surgeon: Stress fracture in right big toe
Smarter: If your feet hurt, go to a foot and ankle doctor before it gets really bad.
5. My right skate hit a rut in the ice. My foot stopped, right ankle and right knee twisted and I went hard into the boards.
What caused this injury: Bad Luck
Ortho Surgeon: High Ankle Sprain and possible torn meniscus in my knee.
Smarter: I followed my Orthopedic Surgeon’s instructions.
What you can do to become a smarter hockey player
A. If your injury is serious, STOP playing immediately.
Get to a hospital ER, doctor/Orthopedic Surgeon for professional treatment.
B. If you aren’t positive what happened on the ice, ask players.
C. As Over 50 Hockey Players, we need to realize our limits. Stay in control, but don’t be too cautious.
D. After an injury that’s kept you from playing for a long time, you’re more likely to exercise and stretch to reduce the chance of it happening again.
E. Doctor/Surgeon: Follow their orders. Ask a lot of questions.
Listening to our doctors, spouses and our own bodies will make us smarter.
F. Injuries SUCK. But they are part of playing hockey at any age.
We need to remember that hockey is dangerous.
AgelessHockey.com/beginner-players
Check the Problem and Solution (half way down the page)
Listener Email
David (NY Hockey Guy): I am NOT skating, and really cannot see a way to get back to playing any real competitive hockey with my knees being as bad as they are. I can play, but the next day I can’t walk. I have been playing ice hockey for 50 yrs. Maybe not a big thing in Canada, but to me, it’s something.
Jim, love the podcast!!!! Keep em coming!!!
David, playing hockey for 50 yrs. is a big thing! That’s a lot of wear and tear on the body. I’m sure you have a lot of great memories.
Even if you don’t play competitively anymore, I’m still going to call you The NY Hockey Guy. Thanks for your email.
Safety Tips
Rules for Drop-In Hockey
No dangerous play is allowed.
No body checking, pushing, elbowing, slashing, hooking, chopping, tripping, NO DANGEROUS PLAY. This is not league hockey; it is recreational hockey with lots of skating, passing, etc.
No puck or ice hogging is allowed, pass a lot….skate hard & fast & get off the ice at the buzzer.
No slap shots with people in front of the net. NOT ALLOWED WITH US.
No retaliation is allowed.
If there is an injured player, please stop the play immediately.
Do not abuse the goalie. No chopping at the mitt or blocker after they smother the puck.
Let the defensive team take the puck over the blue line after a goal, off sides, puck out, or when the goalie smothers the puck.
If there is a problem between skater’s, please try to be adult & nicely talk to each other, or please whoever is organizing the skate.
Let’s play fun hockey, never play anyone too hard & give novice skaters a chance to touch the puck.
Hockey Trivia
1943 Gordie Howe (15 yr) went to the NY Rangers training camp. He was told “Go home. You’ll never make it in the big-league kid”.
Injury Update
DIH (Pre-Game only): Four times
DIH Game: Played two games in five days
Dimitrie
Paralyzed in November, Father ‘D’ amazes and inspires with magical return to the ice
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington/2018/06/29/love-and-support-friends-and-strangers-keeps-lifting-vincent-during-recovery/744540002/
Thanks for listening!
I love hearing your stories. Please email me at Jim@AgelessHockey.com
I value your time and appreciate all of you that have subscribed to my podcast.
Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE