How Hockey Players Push Through Pain: A Look Inside Their Mental Toughness

Hockey players are willing to endure hell. Leon Draisaitl played with a sprained ankle in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Erik Karlsson played with two fractured feet and damaged ankle tendons in the 2017 playoffs and Jonathan Quick played with a herniated disk in the 2012 playoffs. The list goes on and on.

This willingness to endure hell creates stamina unlike anything else seen in the masses. These players are like a local motive that just keeps grinding away down the long hellish road of pain - pushing with its head down. They are playing the infinite game where their legacy is paramount. It is just the journey for them and they have all the stamina needed to last the entire adventure.

So, how do they do it? It is all about their level of mental toughness.

What is Mental Toughness?

Mental toughness is defined as the ability to stay focused, motivated, and confident in the face of adversity or even in pain. It is what separates the best players from the rest. Think about it for a moment. Most players in the NHL are the best of the best. They can skate fast. They can shoot well. They have hockey smarts. Every NHL team is talented and comprised of the greatest players in the world. However, some teams will win and others will lose. These teams are not winning or losing because of a lack of skill but because of a lack of a strong mindset. They have more heart. They have more pride. They have more focus. They have more belief. Hockey players who are mentally tough are able to block out distractions, stay calm under pressure, and push through pain and discomfort.

How is Mental Toughness Developed?

So, how do hockey players develop mental toughness? Again, it starts with their mindset. Specifically, it is three core areas: acceptance, proactiveness, and resilience.

Acceptance

Hockey players understand pain is part of the game and they are willing to accept it. They do not let it distract them from their goals and they do not use it as an excuse for poor performance. Instead, they use it as motivation to work harder and push themselves further. As they embrace their new reality, they are also willing to put their egos aside and rely on their teammates for support. They understand that they are not alone and that their teammates are there to help them push through the pain. They trust their teammates and work together to achieve their goals, no matter how difficult they may be.

Proactiveness

Hockey players also focus on the here and now which allows them to battle through each minute, each game, or eventually an entire series. They do not allow themselves to get wrapped up in scenarios they can not control. They can not fix a broken finger or a herniated disc. However, they can manage the pain though by acknowledging the problem and working around it. They do not sit idly by in a reactive stance. Rather, they are proactive. They are proactive with their recovery by taking needed rest, focusing on breathing exercises which channel more blood to the injured area to speed up the healing process, and participating only in essential workouts and practices until fully healed.

Resilience

Another important aspect of mental toughness in hockey is resilience. Hockey players understand that setbacks and failures are part of the game, but they do not let them defeat them. The simple acknowledgment that hockey is a brutal and demanding sport prepares them for the rough roads ahead. They can anticipate, cope, and manage adversity so much better. The concept of acceptance which we addressed earlier is what makes them so resilient. With that being said, instead of letting setbacks destroy their mindset they use setbacks as learning opportunities to improve their skills and mental toughness.

Final Thoughts

Pain and injuries are part of the game of hockey. However, they can be mitigated and managed well with mental toughness. It starts with acceptance, is managed with proactiveness, and resilience eventually emerges. When these three core items are in place, hockey players are able to push through pain and perform at their best, no matter what challenges they may face.