When it comes to how to manage an injury, each case is different. The same goes for the injury that Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog suffered in 2022. The captain spent a lot of time rehabbing, trying to get back into hockey. As he stated several times in the past, it wasn’t only draining physically, but mentally, too. What some may not know—and I just found out recently—is that Landeskog used special technology to help in his quest to return to the game.
In an article from the University of Calgary via ucalgary.ca, it was revealed that Landeskog had a microchip in his sock in his socks and shoes to track certain data during his on-ice work, but also even when he was at home living his life away from the game.
From the article linked above:
“These sensors allowed Jordan to monitor the biomechanics of Landeskog’s every move down to the most minute detail, wherever he was located. For this, Jordan was in frequent contact with Marcin Goszczynski, BSc'09, a strength coach who was working with Landeskog.”
In case there was any question about the determination Landeskog had to get back to hockey, that should have evaporated once we saw several videos of his documentary the Avalanche put out. It gave everyone a behind the scenes look at the work Landeskog put in, and the emotions that came with it. However, it wouldn’t have been able to grab the whole emotion.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche started out their 2025-26 season in Los Angeles to face the Kings. Landeskog was placed on the second line, as is familiar to Avs fans, and had an ice time of 11:12. While he didn’t have a point in the 4-1 victory, he showed some physicality as well as leadership qualities, when he had some words for a Kings player who pulled Josh Manson to the ice after a fight that was started after Manson laid a big hit.
I would be interested in knowing what the data showed during that fight. We obviously don’t want to see any sort of injury to Landeskog, let alone during a fight.
Hopefully, we will get to see some more information regarding this technology and how it has helped Landeskog through the course of the 2025-26 season. This is good proof of how far technology has come along over the years. The odds were against Landeskog, but he kept pushing for what he wanted and perhaps needed.
If somebody else ever happened to suffer the same injury that Landeskog did, there is now proof that coming back from it is possible. Landeskog is doing more for athletes than he might realize, but hopefully, he will realize the good he has done, and how good he is for the game of hockey.