Knee on knee contact is one of the most dangerous and career threatening actions in hockey. Unlike high speed body contact to the chest or shoulder, knee on knee collisions target a joint that is not designed to absorb direct lateral force. When a player’s knee is planted and another knee strikes it from the side, the ligaments inside the joint absorb the full impact. The result is often severe ligament damage, long term instability, and months of lost development or competition time.

At 4Check Hockey, our mission is making the game safer, one dummy at a time. Understanding why knee on knee hits are so serious, why they happen, and how they can be prevented is critical at every level of the game, from youth hockey to the NHL.

Recent NHL Examples That Show the Real Consequences

The most recent and clear example came in March 2026 when Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews suffered a season ending knee injury after a knee on knee hit by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Matthews sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion and was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the NHL season. The injury occurred on a scoring chance where Matthews attempted to cut laterally, and Gudas extended his knee into Matthews’ path rather than maintaining body position.

The NHL Department of Player Safety ruled the hit was dangerous and suspended Gudas for five games, acknowledging that the contact was not caused by evasive movement but by the defender leading with his knee. Despite the suspension, the damage was already done. Matthews missed sixteen games and lost an entire season of competitive reps, illustrating how one knee on knee hit can alter a franchise and a career.

Just weeks earlier, the same player was involved in a knee related collision that sidelined Sidney Crosby during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Crosby missed approximately four weeks of hockey after suffering a knee injury on a similar collision, showing how vulnerable even the strongest players are when the knee is targeted or exposed.

These examples are not outliers. They reflect a pattern where knee on knee contact leads to significant time lost, regardless of player size, strength, or experience.

Why Knee on Knee Hits Are So Dangerous

The knee joint relies heavily on ligaments like the MCL, ACL, and meniscus to maintain stability. When a player is skating, their knee is often bent and weight bearing. A lateral strike to the knee forces the joint beyond its natural range of motion, which is why MCL and ACL tears are so common in knee on knee collisions.

Unlike upper body contact, players cannot brace for knee on knee hits. There is little muscle protection and almost no ability to absorb or roll off the impact. This is why these hits often result in immediate collapse and long recovery timelines.

Why Players Deliver Knee on Knee Hits

Knee on knee hits usually occur for three reasons.

First is poor defensive habits. Defenders who reach instead of moving their feet often extend a leg to close space. When the puck carrier changes direction, the extended leg becomes a direct hazard rather than a defensive tool.

Second is loss of body position. When a defender is beaten laterally, frustration and panic can lead to desperation movements. Instead of angling through the hips or shoulders, the defender lunges, and the knee becomes the point of contact.

Third is intentional or reckless play. While some players claim reflexes or timing issues, NHL Player Safety has repeatedly stated that the onus is on the hitter to deliver a legal check. Extending the knee or leaning into it is considered avoidable and dangerous behavior.

Are Knee on Knee Hits Avoidable for the Player Receiving Them

This is the hardest question and the most important for player development.

In many cases, knee on knee hits are not fully avoidable by the puck carrier. Offensive players are taught to cut laterally, attack space, and protect the puck. These skills inherently place the knee in a vulnerable position, especially during transitions and scoring chances.

That said, there are risk reduction strategies.

1. Keeping the head up and scanning allows players to anticipate poor defenders and adjust routes earlier.
2. Avoiding sharp lateral cuts directly into a stationary defender reduces exposure.
3. Using body positioning to initiate shoulder contact instead of knee to knee alignment can shift the point of impact.

Even with perfect habits, responsibility still lies primarily with the defender. The NHL has been clear that knee on knee contact caused by a defender’s technique is illegal and dangerous, regardless of puck carrier movement.

What This Means for Player Safety and Development

Knee on knee hits are not part of playing the game hard. They are the result of poor angles, bad habits, or reckless decisions. At every level, coaches must emphasize angling, stick positioning, and body contact through the core rather than reaching with the legs.

At 4Check Hockey, we believe players can learn physical play without learning dangerous play. Training the body to deliver contact correctly, keeping the head up, and respecting vulnerable positions is how the game becomes safer without losing its edge.

One knee on knee hit can cost a player a season. In some cases, it can change a career forever. Making the game safer starts with understanding why these hits happen and committing to eliminating them from how we teach and play hockey.

Making the game SAFER, one DUMMY at a time.