WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Please proceed at your own risk.

Why is there a rise in skate cuts?

  • Speed

    Players are in better condition and faster than ever with top NHL speeds at 40 KM/H.

  • Short Gloves

    Gloves are now much shorter exposing the radial artery.

  • Tendon Guards

    Tendon guards are no longer secured to the calf exposing the Achilles tendon.

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Near neck misses.

The neck is vulnerable and exposed – a skate laceration can be catastrophic

  • marcandre fleury

    Marc-Andre Fleury

    December 2016

  • Milan Lucic Edmonton Oilers Cut

    Milan Lucic

    January 2018

  • johnny boychyuk

    Johnny Boychyuk

    March 2019

  • Hockey Player Skate Cut

    Recreational Player

    Feburary 2024

Catastrophic neck cuts

  • Adam Johnson Pittsburgh Penguins

    Adam Johnson (29)

    Passed away on October 28, 2023

  • Teddy Balkind Hockey

    Teddy Balkind (16)

    Passed Away on January 6, 2022

Wrist lacerations in the NHL.

  • Ilya Mikheyev

    Ilya Mikheyev - 2019

    Skate blade laceration right wrist. Surgical repair.

  • Cal Clutterbuck New York Islanders

    Cal Clutterbuck - 2019

    Skate blade laceration to left
    wrist. Out indefinitely, surgical repair needed.

  • Alec Martinez LA Kings

    Alec Martinez - 2019

    Skate blade laceration to right
    wrist. Surgical repair needed for radial artery.

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Lacerations happen in every league & age.

  • 6 years old.

    Wrist.

  • Hockey Wrist Cut 2

    16 years old.

    Wrist.

Lacerations happen in every league & age.

  • Erik Karlsson

    Erik Karlsson - 2013

    Left achilles tendon. Cut by skate blade. Missed 10 weeks.

  • Jonathan Huberdeau

    Jonathan Huberdeau - 2016

    Left achilles tendon cut while wearing NHL game sock (a2). Missed 4 months.

  • Adam Fantilli

    Adam Fantilli - 2024

    Left calf cut while wearing an (a5)
    sock. Projected out 8 weeks.

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Tucker Tyan Niagara IceDogs

Leg & femoral artery laceration.

On December 12, 2019, Tucker Tynan, Goalie for the Niagara IceDogs (OHL), suffered a life-threatening laceration to the leg.

Skate injuries do not discriminate against age, position, or skill level.

An upgrade in protective equipment standards is needed immediately.

It is important that the NHL continues its leadership role in protecting players.

“There was a point in time last night that there was an option that [Tynan] may have died on the ice due to loss of blood” - Joey Burke, IceDogs GM