from the CP at Sportsnet,

Rock ‘em-sock ‘em hockey may give many fans a thrill, but researchers estimate that resulting player injuries cost the NHL more than $200 million a year — a hit to the league’s bottom line they suggest is likely recouped from the public’s wallets.

In a study published Monday, researchers at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital estimate that NHL owners paid out at least US$653 million over three seasons to players who missed games due to injury.

The study found that more than 63 per cent of the 1,307 NHL players who laced up skates during the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 regular seasons missed at least one game because of a hockey-related injury.

Within a single season, 51 per cent of all players were out with injuries for at least one game, representing a salary cost of US$218 million a year.

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