One of America's favorite sports could be in danger Hockey is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sports. It is fast-paced and action-packed that keeps its fans on their feet. One of the most enticing aspects of the game is the energy players bring to the ice. Every season the players get bigger, stronger and more competitive. This wouldn't be a bad thing, except that their strength is used to overwhelm opponents and has led to an increased number of injuries over the years. Every season there are over 1,500 injuries. Too many times these injuries result in serious or life-threatening situations. INJURIES, INJURIES, INJURIES There are many injuries that professional hockey players sustain, from lower body injuries to head and neck injuries and everything in between. CBS Sports maintains a running list of National Hockey League (NHL) player injuries, and after a tally of all injuries, the most common are upper-body injuries, lower-body injuries, and concussions . Each category has approximately 30 players listed. Additionally, there are a significant number of players out with knee, groin and shoulder injuries. While there aren't as many injuries to the face, head and neck, they are just as serious, but less common (CBS Sports). The Most Common Types of Injuries Lower body injuries include the knee, hip, ankle, foot, and leg. Knee injuries are the most common and are usually the result of a collision with another player or overuse. Hip injuries are the second most common lower body injury. They are very serious and usually require surgery. Ankle and foot injuries are less common, but still serious and include a sprain or broken bone. Leg injuries do occur, but are rare and typically consist of broken bones or pu...... middle of paper ......ckey.net/////the-nhls-concussion-epidemic/Schmidt , T.A. (n.d.). Ice hockey injuries. Retrieved from http://www.hughston.com//.hockey.htm Table 3. Mechanisms of injury [Table]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.msscentershop.info////.full.pdfTenger, Y. (n.d.). Table 1. Types of injuries in hockey [Table]. Retrieved from http://www.msscentershop.info////.full.pdfTenger, Y. (n.d.). Table 2. Location of injuries in hockey [Table]. Retrieved from http://www.msscentershop.info////.full.pdf British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit. (n.d.). Ice hockey injuries. Retrieved from http://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca//%20Sheets/%20fact%20sheet.pdfWoollam, C. (n.d.). Injuries in hockey. Retrieved from http://www.sportmd.ca///.htmlZehr, M. (2011, May 26). Common Knee Problems Due to Hockey. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com//-common-knee-problems-from-hockey/