Jamie Benn Among Active NHL Players Who Have Rocked A Black Eye (Photos)

Professional hockey players are no strangers to being battered and bruised.

It comes with the territory of playing a full-contact sport; if a puck or stick doesn’t get you, someone’s elbow, knee or skate will.

In the NHL, black eyes are common. Many players don’t wear visors, leaving their faces fully exposed to whatever comes their way. Even those who do wear visors find themselves with black eyes on occasion.

Eye injuries are no laughing matter, but a lot of NHL players feel that sporting a shiner makes them a more intimidating presence on the ice.

Check out active NHL players who have sported black eyes >>

Photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images