2 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Why doesn't the NHL regulate more closely the helmets the players wear?

The NHL Rule Book only contains a very generic statement about helmets, that allows for quite a bit of interpretation. It states "All players of both teams shall wear a helmet of design, material and construction approved by the League at all times while participating in a game, either on the playing surface or the players' or penalty benches." It would be interesting to note that the NHL's website does not make their approval list or criteria for approval available to the general public, although presumably one could find it by inquiring directly to the League.

It's interesting to see how little regard hockey players have for their own safety when it comes to their heads. That is, most of them don't wear a face shield or visor to protect their eyes and noses, and most of them don't even wear the chin strap properly, so that the helmet is constantly moving around on their heads. It seems that quite a few head injuries are not caused by a check or other action on the ice, but rather when the helmet slips around during the course of the game, and doesn't protect the head properly as the player falls or hits the boards. If the chin strap were worn correctly, the helmet would be able to do its job properly, and offer protection. Sure, there would still be injuries, but the number might be lessened, and their severity would most definitely be decreased. Fans can always tell which player has had at least one or two concussions, because he's got the chin strap done up UNDER HIS CHIN.

Now, the referees cannot be blamed for the enforcement, or lack thereof, of the helmet rules, as the rules themselves are quite vague, and they're only specific in one area: what to do when a player's helmet comes off during play. Play is stopped immediately if it is the goaltender's helmet that comes off; for all other players, it is the type of play that is occurring that dictates whether play is stopped immediately or not. International hockey rules have slightly different rules, in that a non-goaltender player without a helmet is required to return to the bench and be substituted off immediately. Should the NHL adopt this rule? Probably not, as this is a bit more restrictive on the flow of play, and the League is trying to speed up the play, however, if the League could at least define more clearly the rules for helmets, then things would be different.

At this point in time, the helmet rule will probably not be changed

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Why the NHL doesn't enforce the helmet rule more stringently?
We want to hear your view. Write now!