Hockey has always been more than a sport for me—it’s been part of my identity since I first laced up skates as a kid. The speed, the strategy, the team chemistry—it’s where I’ve always felt most alive. But a couple of years ago, I started feeling a deep, nagging pain in my hip. At first, I thought it was just soreness from hard practices or old hits. But over time, the pain got worse. Skating became uncomfortable, then unbearable. Soon I was limping off the ice after every game.

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I tried everything: physical therapy, rest, anti-inflammatories, even cortisone injections. But nothing worked long-term. I was stuck—too much pain to keep playing, but not ready to give up on hockey. That’s when a sports medicine specialist diagnosed me with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and a labral tear. The words I didn’t want to hear came next: You need hip surgery.

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At 26, I was terrified. I had worked so hard to reach this level in hockey—was it all over?

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That’s when I found the team at HipPreservation.org. From day one, they helped me understand the injury, the surgery, and most importantly, my potential to get back on the ice. They didn’t just focus on fixing my hip—they focused on getting me back to the life I loved.

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The surgery went smoothly, but the recovery was intense. The first few weeks were the hardest—I couldn’t even get out of bed without help. I had to rebuild strength, flexibility, and confidence. There were setbacks, sure, but the Hip Preservation team gave me a clear plan and constant support.

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Three months in, I was finally able to bike again. By six months, I was skating lightly. And around the one-year mark, I played in my first full game post-surgery. That moment—being back on the ice, pain-free—was unforgettable.

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Now, I’m playing competitive hockey again without pain. I trust my body. I move better. And I’m smarter about how I train. What felt like the end of my career actually turned out to be a new beginning.

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If you’re a hockey player—or any athlete—dealing with unexplained hip pain, don’t wait. Get answers. Hip impingement and labral tears are more common than people realize, and with the right care, recovery is possible.

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Hip surgery changed my life. I’m not just playing hockey again—I’m living fully, without limits.