NHL players who suffered tooth loss on ice in 2025: Inside the controversial incidents that made headlines across the league

The NHL has always been defined by toughness, but 2025 brought that reputation into sharp focus for a very different reason. Across the season, fans repeatedly saw blood on the ice, shattered smiles, and players rushing for emergency dental treatment before skating back into the action. These weren’t minor scrapes hidden behind a visor. They became some of the most talked-about moments of the year, sparking debate about player safety, officiating standards, and whether the league is doing enough to protect its stars.What once felt like isolated freak accidents suddenly appeared far more frequent, and every incident carried its own weight. The courage remained unquestionable, but the conversation shifted toward prevention as much as admiration.The season’s string of tooth-loss incidents forced the hockey world to look beyond toughness and talk about protection, officiating, and responsibility. These weren’t minor accidents; they became defining storylines.Alex AlexeyevWashington Capitals defenseman Alex Alexeyev suffered one of the year’s most shocking injuries in Game 1 of the playoffs against Montreal. A high stick from Jake Evans smashed into his mouth, costing him three front teeth and chipping three others. After emergency dental work, he returned later in the series with a full face shield, symbolizing both courage and concern.James van RiemsdykJames van Riemsdyk endured one of the toughest injuries of 2025 when Ian Cole’s high stick during a Columbus-Utah game knocked out four teeth and forced more than 30 stitches. In classic hockey spirit, he came back, registered an assist, and continued playing soon after, even while the safety debate intensified.Macklin CelebriniSan Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini also wasn’t spared. In November, he suffered chipped or broken teeth after taking a stick or puck to the mouth, a rough reminder of how unforgiving NHL gameplay can be for even the league’s brightest young talents.Brendan Gaunce Columbus forward Brendan Gaunce joined the growing list in December after a high stick from Washington’s Hendrix Lapierre cost him a tooth mid-game, adding another chapter to the 2025 tooth-loss conversation.Jake NeighboursSt. Louis Blues forward Jake Neighbours lost teeth during a preseason matchup against the New York Rangers after being struck by Brett Berard’s stick, proving even preseason action held severe risk.Nikita KucherovTampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov lost part of a tooth after a collision with Pittsburgh goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic’s mask in March, showing that even elite players were not immune.Hockey’s culture of resilience isn’t disappearing. But 2025 ensured that admiration for toughness now lives alongside louder calls for stronger protection, smarter officiating, and fewer nights where shattered teeth become the NHL’s most talked-about storyline.Also Read: NHL game turns dramatic: Brendan Gaunce loses tooth after Hendrix Lapierre's high stick in Capitals-Blue Jackets clash