Skates TOO high tech for NHL

[jds 20]

From today's Globe and Mail.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...ortsHockey/home

[Cavs019 710]

I'm calling BS. 6 players on the Habs is not an adequate sample size to determine its the skates that are contributing to groin issues.

[durke 0]

I have a hard time believing "high tech" skates is the cause of the injuries. Sounds more like they need to add some more practices to the schedule before they go right into preseason games.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I'd blame ice conditions and inactivity before the boots.

[shooter27 116]

This was always a problem in training camp when I played in prep school, juniors, and college. We weren't using high tech materials back then, the Bauer 7000 didn't come out till I was a senior in prep school, so it has nothing to do with the skates. Its more an issue of inactivity and having to work muscles that you just can't work during off-ice training.

[TheBert 0]

This happened to the Canucks when they had camp at Bear Mountain last season. The ice was AWFUL and messed up many a skater's groin.

[jds 20]

Further down in the story:

" Habs centre Maxim Lapierre said part of the problem may be with the ice surfaces the team has endured in the early part of camp.'The quality of the ice hasn't been great … it could be as trivial as that. It's one of those things that you just cross your fingers about,' he said."

You could think these guys are like F1 cars-built for performance but not durable-but how do you explain the physicality of the sport that requires all sorts of unpredictable, often violent movements? I'm going with the BS factor.

[Jarick 5]

Gaborik missed half a year with a groin injury sustained while skating on bad ice out in L.A. Then again, he's got really powerful legs but who knows how much he works out the flexors and what not. Seems more difficult to build up.

[chk hrd 164]

what about over training. Alot of guys train 5 - 6 days a week and don't give thier bodies a rest. When you train hard and start breaking muscle down it has to repair itself to get healthy again. If you don't let it rebuild it's not going to be as strong.

[chippa13 1844]

If there was a rash of high ankle sprains going around then this article might have some merit, groin problems, not so much.

[wildebeest 0]

On a side note, good thing this story is by a Canadian writer. In the US, there would be a huge "public outcry" and he'd be canned for using the word "niggles".

[sebseb 0]

from what i know, and this is any sport, you pull a groin when you don't prep before the practice, streching, light exercises etc., to get the blood moving and heat the muscles and joints. only after that you can get a proper practice with minimum risk of injury. plus i really don't think that anyone can get in shape in 2 days before a period with 6 games in 7 days, no matter how easy are the games. the skates are just fine, the physical trainer needs a replacement.

[epstud74 24]

The difference in ice surfaces at plaes like Northlands or Xcel Center vs most ice arenas is quite stark. Anyone in here worked on a pro/NCAA surface??

[Rustpot 1]

Isn't this another reason why your top guys don't play the preseason as much? If your head coach is taking guys with 2 days of training and playing them heavily for 6 games in a week, you might need to re-evaluate your practice priorities.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

In the US, there would be a huge "public outcry" and he'd be canned for using the word "niggles".

Not gonna lie... when I read that in the article, it raised an eyebrow.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Are hip/groin injuries happening all around Training Camps...or are the Habs just unlucky? If it is a League wide thing...maybe there is some truth to it. If not, just bad luck/bad ice.

[Gongshow11 1]

it could just be vets who have had an injury from the summer and dont want to risk it in preseason. Why would you?

[jrhky36 1]

so does that mean that the shoes or the turf is too high tech for football players? injuries are going to happen no matter what equiment is used. its the job of trainers to teach player how to prevent injuries. thast is the nature of a highly phyiscal sport.

[MLSman 22]

I'd blame ice conditions and inactivity before the boots.

Nuff said.

[gxc999 7]

Everyone has nailed it. 1)Inactivity, 2)Overactivity 3)Bad ice. The funny thing about the body is that if you play around the year constantly and then take two weeks off, your groin and some of the other leg muscles will take several days to readjust to the stress of previous levels. Technique may also temporarily weaken after returning from a skating vacation.

[jimmy 194]

Equipment managers should be able to adjust hollows and contact surfaces so a player can adjust to soft ice. I don't buy that reasoning. It's not inactivity. No one stays inactive anymore, not even the mites.

[UMWhockey 0]

i think the problem is that with how big these guys are the ruts in the ice they create make it easy for someone to catch and edge or a rut and do some dammage. It is very hard to create good ice in a lot of these buildings. It may be good for a peewee game, but stick guys that size on the ice with how hard they skate and it is very difficult to maintain good ice for a game

[DarkStar50 679]

I skated on crap ice tonight. Soft, wet, never set up the whole night. Put a pro on these surfaces and his hollow won't make a difference. Soft ice and high tempo NHL hockey = trouble. Remember these kids are also busting a butt every shift to earn the coach's eye. Veterans have no choice but to hit overdrive immediately on Day 1 of camp. The players skating two weeks prior to opening were never at 100% speed.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

so does that mean that the shoes or the turf is too high tech for football players?

Astroturf causes alot more knee injuries than grass.

[VakarLajos 5]

so does that mean that the shoes or the turf is too high tech for football players?

Astroturf causes alot more knee injuries than grass.

Really should be "caused". I don't know of any major venue that still uses Astroturf.

I remember a debate on another forum a while back where somebody mentioned that the switch to plastic holders rather than tube skates changed skating styles that have led to all kinds of knee and back problems. I forget the rationale behind it, but it looked sound. Anybody have anything to add on that?