Returning to Hockey

The speed of hockey can be breathtaking. When you watch a game on TV, you will be impressed with the skating ability, shooting, stick handling and overall skill level of the top level players in the NHL. However, when you attend a game in person, it's almost as if you are watching a different game. The speed of the game is shocking and the power behind the hitting is intimidating. Players who are coming back from injuries or returning to the game after a long period away must readjust to the pace of the game.

Full Health

Hockey can be an addictive sport for the athletes. When a player has to miss significant time with an injury, he will go through medical procedures and rehab exercises to return to health. Once he starts to feel better and rehab is going well, a player has to guard against returning early. While he might want to put on his hockey uniform again, the game is too fast and too physical to play when you are not close to 100 percent. You have to rein in your enthusiasm and make a full return to health before returning to play.

Skating Level

A hockey player has to work on his skating and build up his speed, quickness and endurance to a high level before returning to action. You will have to spend hours skating on your own before you rejoin your team in practice. Once you get back to practice, you will find that that skating with your teammates is at a much higher level than you do on your own. "It's a big shock to go from skating on your own to going full speed in practice," said former NHL player and NHL analyst Ed Olczyk. "You find out once again how fast the game is. It's even faster when you go from practice to a game. It takes time when you are coming back from an injury."

Skill Level

Once you have returned to full health and have worked hard to get your skating skills at a high level, you will be in position to work on your skills. Players have to put in the effort so their timing is excellent on passing, shooting and stickhandling. Getting the feel for a backhand pass or shot takes a lot of practice. An offensive player has to work on the ability to tip and deflect the puck. A defensive player has to get the timing back for blocking shots.

Hunger

Finally, you have to ask yourself if you really want to play as much as you did prior to your injury or your time away from the game. It's one thing to feel anxious about your return and get butterflies in your stomach, but if the hunger is missing you owe it to yourself and your family not to play until you are sure you are ready. You have to play for yourself and not to fulfill the expectation of others.