Resistance bands are some of the best pieces of workout equipment a professional athlete can use to increase strength or help with rehabilitation from an injury.

For hockey players, the elastic band can also be used out on the ice away from dryland training.

Using the band as resistance with a player out on the ice can help a player add a step or two of explosiveness when first taking off in stride. That can make all the world of a difference when going up against a defender one-on-one for a loose puck after a dump in, or separating one's self from a defender on a breakaway.

Montreal Canadiens forward Jacob de la Rose is looking to make the jump from a bottom-six winger with good defensive responsibilities to locking down a full-time position down the middle on the team's third line. With the added responsibility and extra real estate to cover playing as a centreman as opposed to a winger, de la Rose is working on improving his quickness and speed by using a resistance band that wraps around his waist and hooks onto the bench.

In a video shared via de la Rose's Instagram account while training with Filip Forsberg, the band unhinged itself from the bench and smack de la Rose right on his backside.
 

"Yup, that hurt as much as it sounds like," said the 23-year-old on his IG page. That'll for sure be leaving a bruise.

Those are some decent camera mitts by Forsberg, too. It's like he was holding a stick in his hand.

The 23-year-old is working out Sweden with his good friend and is looking to his 2017-18 campaign where he potted four goals and 12 points in 55 games.

(h/t Instagram/Jacob de la Rose)