11 Hockey Players Who Lost Their Teeth Playing The Game They Love

You've never met a sport where losing your teeth is considered a "badge of honor," but in hockey, it is! Dozens of hockey players have lost their pearly whites on the rink. Blame it on the fist fights on center ice. Or the rogue puck flying through the air. And then there are the players who lost their teeth from a high stick. No matter the reason, the result of seeing a space in between hockey players' teeth is epic.

Hockey is a fast-paced, physical sport that requires players to be tough and fearless. They have to be willing to put their bodies and faces on the line for the sake of the game. One of the most common injuries suffered by hockey players is dental trauma. An informal say of saying that is, hockey players break a lot of teethies! In fact, it's not uncommon to see players on the ice with gaps in their smiles, a testament to the toll that this sport can take on the body.

My husband, Rob Bellamy, played hockey for many years, and I'm grateful he still has his teeth. But if he didn't I would still love him!

Despite the risks, many hockey players continue to play without mouth guards or cages on their helmets to cover their faces (like the women do). While losing teeth may be seen as a badge of honor for some hockey players, the reality is that it's a serious issue that should be taken seriously.

The only people not complaining about losing teeth are the hockey players themselves, and the dentists who clearly make lots of money when they're asked to make new dentures for them!

So sit back, relax, and take a look at some of the most famous hockey players who have lost their teeth playing the game that they love the most.

Clarke, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1969 to 1984, is perhaps the most famous hockey player with missing teeth. He lost two front teeth early in his career and played without them for the rest of his time on the ice.

When Keith Yandle played for the Florida Panthers he got hit in the mouth with a rogue puck. He had to leave the ice to receive medical attention. He lost 9 teeth from the hit.

Keith, a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks, is another notable player who has lost teeth on the ice. He has had several dental injuries over the course of his career, but has continued to play at a high level despite them.

O'Reilly, who played for the Boston Bruins in the 1970s and 80s, was known for his aggressive style of play and his willingness to fight. He lost several teeth during his career as a result.

Pronger, a defenseman who played for several teams over his career, including the St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers, also lost teeth on multiple occasions. He even had to undergo surgery to repair damage to his jaw after a particularly brutal hit.

Joe Pavelski was playing for the San Jose Sharks when a puck went off his face and into the net. Score! (Except not for his teeth)

Burns lost three of his teeth naturally at the age of 16...but he just lost the remaining ones playing hockey.

Chris Neil is stick got caught in a goalie's pads. He went face first into the cross bar. OUCH! 

Ovechkin lost his front tooth after taking a high stick in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers.