Report: More than 25 percent of helmets worn by hockey players are unsafe

A large number of hockey players, from youth leagues right up to the NHL, are wearing unsafe helmets every time they step on the ice.

A study provided to ESPN's "Outside The Lines" revealed that more than 25 percent of all hockey helmets are unsafe based on their ability to reduce concussion risk.

From the report filed by ESPN:

Out of 32 helmets in the marketplace that were tested by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, nine failed to earn a single star on a five-star scale and were classified as 'not recommended.' Just one helmet, made by Warrior Sports, received three stars. The rest received one or two stars.

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Hockey players wearing the 'not recommended' helmets risk incurring at least six concussions per season, and in some cases more than eight, according to Virginia Tech.

Additionally, the two most expensive hockey helmets on the market - made by Bauer and CCM - received one-star ratings.

In the United States alone, 2.4 million play hockey, giving the sport a higher rate of concussions than any other sport, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

According to Stefan Duma, the head of Virginia Tech's department of biomedical engineering and mechanics, the difference between low- and high- rated helmets can't be understated.

"Let's say you're a helmeted player and you fall down and you hit your head on the ice," Duma said. "The helmet's between your head and the ice. If it's a really good helmet, that impact might only be 50 G's. If it's a poor-performing helmet, for that impact you might have 150 G's. That's the difference between an injury and a non-injury event."

While Duma admitted there will likely never be a perfect helmet that prevents concussions altogether, a priority must be placed on reducing the risk, with an onus placed not only on the makers, but also the buyers in regards to making and purchasing the safest equipment possible.