Top 10 Worst Hockey Injuries of All Time

Clint Malarchuk - 1989

Clint Malarchuk suffered a life-threatening injury when a skate blade sliced his jugular vein during a game. He received immediate on-ice medical attention that prevented him from bleeding out.

Malarchuk wasn't a stud on the ice, but he remains a legend for surviving this injury. The army veteran who happened to be the trainer really saved him.

I read the title of the list, and this was the first one that came to mind. Still one of the most gruesome things I've seen in sports.

I watched the video. His neck was gushing blood. It was nasty. I am so glad he lived!

Mark Howe - 1980

Mark Howe was impaled on a goal post after crashing into the net, causing a serious puncture wound. The incident led to changes in net anchoring for player safety.

Impaled himself on the metal post at the center of the net.

Bill Masterton - 1968

Bill Masterton died after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during a collision on the ice. He remains the only player to die as a direct result of injuries sustained in an NHL game.

Masterson goes down as a legend. Not only did he make helmets mandatory, but he also had a trophy named after him. Masterson will forever be known as someone who loved the sport of hockey.

I feel so bad for this guy! Poor, poor him. I think it's the worst.

He died, key word: he died. How the heck does this not top it?

Trent McCleary - 2000

Trent McCleary suffered a fractured larynx and collapsed lung after blocking a slapshot with his throat. He required emergency surgery and was forced to retire.

He almost died, and it ended his career.

Hit in the throat by a hockey puck.

Gordie Howe - 1950

Gordie Howe sustained a fractured skull and was hospitalized after crashing headfirst into the boards during a playoff game. He underwent emergency surgery and returned the next season.

Crashed into the end boards head-first.

Eric Lindros - 1998

Eric Lindros suffered a severe concussion after a hit by Darius Kasparaitis. The injury was one of multiple concussions that affected his career.

Suffered a major concussion that was a part of his career ending early.

Sami Salo - 2009

Sami Salo ruptured a testicle while blocking a shot during a playoff game. He missed subsequent games due to the injury.

Two words that should never be together: "Shattered Testicle." He blocked a life-changing slap shot in his groin area.

Howie Morenz - 1937

Howie Morenz broke his leg during a game and later died from complications, including a suspected blood clot. His death was mourned across the hockey community.

He suffered a multiple-fracture broken leg and died as a result of complications.

Ace Bailey - 1933

Ace Bailey sustained a fractured skull after being hit from behind by Eddie Shore. The injury ended his playing career.

Hit his head on the ice and ended his career.

Max Pacioretty - 2011

Max Pacioretty fractured a vertebra and suffered a concussion after being checked into a stanchion. The incident prompted changes to arena glass supports.

Face smashed into the stanchion.

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Mason Raymond - 2011

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Steven Stamkos - 2016

Bryan Berard - 2000

Bryan Berard was struck in the eye with a stick, resulting in a detached retina and nearly complete vision loss. He returned to the NHL after undergoing multiple surgeries.

Sergei Zholtok - 2004

Sergei Zholtok collapsed and died from heart failure during a game in Belarus. He had a known history of cardiac arrhythmia.

That injury literally ended his career. Even worse: he sadly died four hours later.

Marc Staal - 2013

Marc Staal was struck in the eye by a deflected puck, causing a serious orbital injury. He wore a visor upon his return to play.

I'll never forget seeing the ice turn red from the blood coming from his eye.

Richard Zednik - 2008

Richard Zednik's carotid artery was accidentally sliced by a teammate's skate. He received emergency surgery and survived the injury.

Like Malarchuk, he was cut by a skate.

Marc Savard - 2010

Marc Savard sustained a serious concussion after a blindside hit to the head by Matt Cooke. He was later diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and did not return to the NHL.

Mike Smith - 2021

Mike Smith missed a significant portion of the season due to a lower-body injury sustained early in the year. Details about the exact nature of the injury were not fully disclosed.

He got injured on October 19, 2021, during the Oilers vs. Ducks game, and he was out until December. He played maybe three games and then got injured again in January 2022 during practice or something.

He got injured again in 2022. Now hopefully he won't be out until about April or May, but they said he will be out for one to two weeks.

Connor McDavid - 2019

Connor McDavid tore his PCL after crashing into the goalpost during the final game of the season. He avoided surgery through an intensive rehabilitation program.

I remember seeing it live. He got injured in the last Oilers regular-season game of the 2018-19 season against the Flames.

Pat Peake - 1996

Pat Peake shattered his heel after crashing into the boards at high speed. The injury effectively ended his NHL career.

His heel was shattered so much that media accounts at the time included the assessments of various orthopedists who claimed that its likeness was seen only among construction workers who had endured significant falls from platforms and high-rises.

Maurice Richard - 1957

Maurice Richard suffered a concussion and facial injuries after being punched by Hal Laycoe and then struck by a referee. The incident sparked the Richard Riot after his suspension.

Tendon severed during team practice. Ended his career.

Steve Moore - 2004

Steve Moore suffered a fractured vertebra, concussion, and facial injuries after being attacked by Todd Bertuzzi during a game. The injuries ended Moore's professional career.

Suffered a concussion. Ended his career.

Rich Peverley - 2014

Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench due to a cardiac event during a game. He was revived with a defibrillator and did not return to play.

He collapsed and died on the bench when he was with the Stars, but was revived. He got really lucky, but it's good he was revived.

Jiri Fischer - 2005

Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench from cardiac arrest during a game. He was revived by medical personnel and never returned to play.