How does the butterfly posture affect NHL goalies' hips?

The butterfly posture involves repetitive forceful drops and internal hip rotation, which can cause bone growth and damage, leading to pain and injuries for NHL goalies.

What is a 'drop rate' for goalies, and why is it tracked?

A 'drop rate' measures how many times a goalie enters the butterfly position. Teams track this to manage workload and prevent hip-related injuries.

Are young hockey goalies at risk from the butterfly pose?

Yes, young goalies are at a higher risk of hip damage due to the butterfly pose during their critical bone growth years, similar to pitchers in youth baseball.

Home / Sports / Hockey Goalies' Hips: The Painful Price of the Butterfly

Hockey Goalies' Hips: The Painful Price of the Butterfly

28 Nov

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Summary

NHL teams track goalie 'drop rates' to manage hip stress.
The butterfly pose can cause bone growth and hip damage.
Wearable tech helps monitor goalie workload and stress.

Hockey Goalies' Hips: The Painful Price of the Butterfly

The widely adopted butterfly posture in hockey goaltending is raising concerns about long-term hip health. NHL teams are increasingly monitoring goalies' 'drop rates'—the number of times they land in the butterfly position during games and practices. This tracking, often facilitated by wearable technology, aims to manage player workload and prevent injuries.

Experts highlight the significant stress placed on goalies' hips, with internal rotation and forceful impacts potentially leading to bone growth and damage, especially during adolescence. This issue has led to severe hip pain and surgeries for some veteran players, prompting calls for greater awareness and protective measures.

While not as regulated as baseball's pitch counts, there's a growing movement within hockey, including USA Hockey, to adopt a more conservative approach. The idea of 'goalie by committee' and focusing on load management aims to safeguard the health of younger players and extend the careers of seasoned professionals.

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