When Did the NHL Require Helmets?
Many people don’t know that the NHL didn’t always require helmets. In fact, it wasn’t until 1979 that the league made them mandatory. So when did the NHL require helmets? Read on to find out.
NHL History
The National Hockey League was established in 1917. At that time, there were no rules in place regarding the use of helmets. Players were free to play without them. In the early years of the league, most players did not wear helmets. It was not until the late 1960s that the league began to mandate the use of helmets.
The first professional ice hockey league was formed in 1917
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league. Founded in 1917, it is currently composed of 31 teams: 24 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is considered to be the premier professional ice hockey league in the world, and one of the major professional sports leagues in North America.
The first professional ice hockey league was formed in 1917, and the NHL took over as the premier league in 1926. The NHL required all players to wear helmets beginning with the 1979-80 season.
The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1926
The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1926 with the merger of the National Hockey Association (NHA) and the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA). The NHL required all players to wear helmets beginning with the 1979-80 season.
NHL Rule Changes
In 1979-80, the NHL required that all players must have helmets on while on the ice. This was in response to several players sustaining head injuries, including some who had died as a result of their injuries. The rule change was not popular with all the players, but it was implemented nonetheless. Let’s take a look at some other rule changes that have been made in the NHL over the years.
The NHL required players to wear helmets in 1979
In June of 1979, the NHL Board of Governors passed a rule that made it mandatory for all incoming players to wear helmets. This was in response to the rising number of head injuries in the league, and it was hoped that the measure would help to prevent these injuries going forward. Players who were already in the league were grandfathered in and were not required to wear helmets, although many chose to do so anyway.
The rule change was not without its critics, however. Some argued that it would make the game less physical, as players would be less likely to engage in fights if they were wearing helmets. Others contended that the helmets would actually increase the risk of injury, as they could come off during a collision and become a projectile.
Despite these concerns, the rule change went into effect for the 1979-80 season and has been in place ever since. It has been credited with helping to reduce the number of head injuries in the league, and while there is still much room for improvement, player safety has come a long way since 1979.
The NHL made helmets mandatory in 2013
In 2013, the NHL made wearing helmets mandatory for all incoming players, and strongly encouraged all current players to do the same. The rule change was made in an effort to reduce the number of concussions and other head injuries sustained by NHL players.
While many players were initially opposed to the rule change, citing concerns about loss of visibility or feeling claustrophobic, the NHL found that most players quickly adapted to the new rules and began wearing helmets without incident.
Today, all NHL players are required to wear helmets during games and practice, and the league has seen a decrease in the number of head injuries sustained by its players.
Why the Change?
On June 1, 1979, the National Hockey League required that all incoming players must wear helmets. This was a big change for the league, as up until that point, only a handful of players had been wearing helmets. The main reason for the change was player safety.
The NHL made the change to improve player safety
In 2011, the NHL instituted a new rule stating that all players must wear helmets during games. This rule change was made in an effort to improve player safety, as concussions and other head injuries were becoming an increasingly common problem in the league.
Players were not required to wear helmets during practices or warm-ups, but they were required to wear them during games. This rule change was met with some resistance from players, as many felt that it would interfere with their vision or hearing on the ice. However, after a few seasons of adjustment, most players began to accept the new rule and today, helmets are a standard piece of equipment for all NHL players.
The NHL made the change to reduce the risk of concussions
In September of 2019, the National Hockey League announced that they would be making a change to their rules regarding headwear. Starting in the 2020-2021 season, all players will be required to wear helmets during games. This rule change comes after years of discussion and debate on the topic, as well as increasing concerns over the long-term effects of concussions.
There is no question that concussions are a serious issue in hockey. A study conducted by the University of Montreal found that nearly 30% of retired NHL players suffer from depression, and many of those cases are thought to be due to brain injuries sustained during their playing careers. With this new rule in place, the NHL is hoping to reduce the number of concussions and other head injuries sustained by its players.
The helmets required by the NHL must meet certain standards set by the league. They must have a solid outer shell made of either carbon fiber or Kevlar, and must be lined with compression foam that meets certain density requirements. The helmets must also be fitted with a chinstrap that meets certain strength requirements.
The transition to mandatory helmet usage will not be an easy one for the NHL, as many players have voiced their opposition to the change. However, with concussions becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in hockey, it is a necessary change that will help keep players safe in the long run.
