PHILADELPHIA, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking move that reinforces their commitment to player wellness, the Philadelphia Flyers, in partnership with NexGen Hyperbaric, have expanded access to medical-grade Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Flyers alumni, helping retired athletes recover from decades of physical trauma.
For Ed Hospodar, a former Flyers enforcer and longtime NHL defenseman, that commitment has been nothing short of transformational.
NexGen Hyperbaric's state-of-the-art mobile hyperbaric trailer equipped with two medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers stationed outside the Philadelphia Flyers' training facility, providing advanced recovery and wellness support for current and former players.
Philadelphia Flyers primary full-color logo. (PRNewsfoto/NexGen Hyperbaric)
"After 40 years of living with chronic pain from a neck injury I sustained in 1985, I finally found real relief through medical-grade HBOT," said Hospodar. "Within two months, I regained mobility I never thought possible. This isn't just recovery—this is healing."
Healing Beyond the Game
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy delivers 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, promoting cellular regeneration, reducing inflammation, and accelerating recovery from soft tissue and neurological injuries. Originally developed to treat wounds and decompression sickness, HBOT is now recognized for its profound regenerative effects—especially for athletes whose bodies have endured years of impact.
"HBOT isn't just for the next game—it's about long-term wellness," said Jonathan Rotella, CEO of NexGen Hyperbaric. "What the Flyers are doing is special. They're saying to their former players: 'We remember you, we care about you, and your health matters—now more than ever.'"
Hospodar's experience with NexGen's mobile unit at the Flyers' training facility highlights the difference between mild hyperbaric chambers and medical-grade HBOT.
"I had previously tried soft-sided chambers, and even a hard-sided mild chamber," Hospodar shared. "They don't deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen, and they're often used in non-clinical settings. What NexGen offers is in a completely different class—this is real medicine."
"This isn't a spa. This is a professional clinical environment where I'm treated like a patient, not a customer. The equipment is state-of-the-art, and the results speak for themselves."
A Model for Sports Medicine Nationwide
The Flyers are the first NHL team to integrate a mobile HBOT unit on-site to treat both current players and alumni, setting a new benchmark in player care.
"It's about more than performance—it's about giving our athletes the tools to live well, long after they've left the ice," said Ian McKeown, Vice President of Athlete Performance & Wellness for the Flyers. "We're proud to be part of this evolution in sports medicine."
Hospodar's story speaks for many athletes: tough, resilient, and often quiet about the toll of their careers. With HBOT, they're finding their voices—and their strength—again."I'm not just living—I'm thriving. And I'm doing it because the Flyers cared enough to bring this treatment to us," said Hospodar. "If I had HBOT during my playing days, my career and recovery would have looked very different. But I'm grateful to have it now."
About NexGen Hyperbaric
Founded in 2004, NexGen Hyperbaric is a national leader in medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy. With fixed and mobile units across the country, NexGen is redefining access to cutting-edge recovery and regenerative medicine. The company partners with professional sports teams, hospitals, and research institutions to expand the clinical applications of HBOT.
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