Do you think NHL players should be required to wear visors?

Question

Only answer this if you have played, known somone who has played, have kids that play of have play. Just someone that knows a good deal about hockey.

Personally, i think they should be required now. And honestly, i think they should look into wearing the complete sheilds like they do in college and such.

I just hate seeing guys get hit in the face with pucks or sticks. I know the old timers didnt even wear helmets, and neither did the goalies! But the players could play with a little bit more aggressiveness i think. just my opinion. What do you think?

if you never played before, you really dont know just how much can happen!

you're a douche bag anyways taco

why is it so freakin hard for people to understand that i want answers from people that have played or actually know something about hockey!??

Ive played before, and alot of people that havent played really dont know what they are talking about half the time. Save your dumb a*s*s remarks about me wanting opinions from people who have played! Is it too much to ask?!! I really dont care to hear from people that dont know shi*t about actually playing hockey.

God people piss me off

Answer 1

No These are grown men they can make decision on their own. Players know what is best for them not suites in NYC

You talk about picking up the aggressiveness but also have this safety concession attitude. If they have full cages you could go after peoples heads with reckless abandons?

What needs to be done is a strong emphasize in youth hockey to teach players to keep your sticks and hands down, eject players that have high sticking infractions incidental or not. As far a pucks hitting players that is just part of the game and some players see it has a sign of courage and sense pride going that extra mile for the team.

Visors are not bullet proof vest the last thing hockey needs to do is mandate visor and have everyone think they are invincible out on the ice

Answer 2

Ask any player that has taken a puck to the face, especially the eye area, and they will all tell you the same thing: They will wear a visor as soon as they get back to playing the game.

Is it a wise decision: Yes. It reduces the chance to have a career ending accident.

This is a topic that gets debated over and over again. I think the best way is to grandfather it in like they did with helmets. All the upcoming players would be required. All the current players have the option.

On the other hand, how frequent are the accidents to the face?

I've seen, very closely, a fluke puck to the chin that a full face mask didn't even come close to protecting.

I think players get reckless because they get sloppy habits, and that starts at a younger age. The sooner those habits are broken, the better.

Answer 3

Obviously, visors or masks would reduce the chance of career-ending injuries, but the question is hard to answer for the following reason.

Watch a game from the 60's on a classic sports channel and notice there are no helmets, let alone masks. The players are as physical and play as hard as today, but the sticks are kept down. The players subconciously keep the risk of injury from a blade to the head very low. When helmets, and then masks, become more prevalent, the sticks came up. In a game today the sticks are kept at waist level or above during skirmishes, unlike the old games.

So it's not as clear-cut an issue as you would like it to be. However, it's hard to argue that full masks would not be in the best interst of the players.

Answer 4

No it shouldn't be required.

A player accepts any risk of not wearing a visor or cage. A puck or stick to the face will not kill. I do agree with making helmets mandatory since a head shot off the ice does have the high potential for major damage or death. Plus, one person's decision to not wear face protection does not affect other players. It shouldn't stop other players from playing more aggressive if they want.

Personally I wear a full cage but it does have an impact on my vision during games and understand why some choose not to wear one.

Answer 5

Visor use has skyrocketed over the last few years. It's gone from well under half to close to 65% based on the latest THN survey. The problem is essentially fixing itself. I'm not sure I'd mandate the ones worn in the CHL (major junior). While it's probably smart for most players to wear a visor, as long as they have it affixed to the helmet in such a way as to not pose a safety hazard for themselves or other players, go to town.

Answer 6

No. they should not be required.

it is up to the players and the GMs. Not that many players have been injured taht seriously. The shield rarely protects against these serious eye injuries everyone thinks they protect against. With the shield, players become less responsible for themselves and others. People just have a false notion that because all the players wear a faceshield that they wont have any injuries - this is completely wrong.

they should make sure all players wear mouthguards before they worry about the shields.

Answer 7

A visor definitely helps, I remember going into the corner to get a loose puck and someone checked me straight into the boards, I wore a visor. Luckily the visor stopped my face from getting completely smashed into the glass, possibly avoiding a broken nose, or jaw.

So yes visors should be mandatory, but the whole cage thing should be optional.

Answer 8

A bit unfair to limit your responders to "those in the know". But, as I am . . . here goes:

No. You can't require visors in the NHL. These are adult professionals who have to make their own decisions and be held responsible for those decisions made. Only the players know what is right for them. A recently retired (NHL) friend wore a shield his whole career and was comfortable with it. Another friend, still active, started wearing one a few years ago following an injury and has become O.K. with it, but wishes he didn't have to use it.

Personal preference, personal responsibility.

Game on!

Answer 9

i play and i ref, this is just me but i feel much safer waering a sheild when i play rather than when i ref and dont wear it

i dont think it should be a rule in the nhl because players should be responsible for what happens, tho it would be smart to

and to the whole vision thing, i think it takes some getting used to but it doesnt really affect my vision once i get used to it

Answer 10

Only the smart ones.

The "only answer if you've played" thing is pretty lame. I've never jumped off a cliff, but I know that you'd better have the right equipment if you want to survive the fall.