Yep. There used to be many more injuries in our recreation level (non-contact) hockey than there were in full contact. I guess part of the reason is that you expect to get hit in contact hockey and you brace and prepare yourself for it.
The other part is that we were a bunch of idiots that expected to be able to play as well in our 30's, 40's and 50's, as we did when we were in our 20's.
If you help someone when they're in trouble, they'll ask you to help them when they're in trouble again.