When Did the NHL Require Helmets?

A look at the NHL’s helmet rule and how it has changed over the years.

NHL History

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America. Founded in 1917, the NHL is composed of 30 member clubs: 24 in the United States and 6 in Canada. Currently, the NHL is the highest level of professional hockey in the world.

Founded in 1917

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, currently comprising 31 teams: 24 in the United States and seven 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 the United States and Canada.

The Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, is awarded annually to the playoff champion at the end of each season. The National Hockey League was established in 1917 as the successor to the National Hockey Association (NHA). After a series of disputes with Eddie Livingstone, owner of the Toronto Blueshirts, the Association disbanded and its assets were turned over to a new league, which took effect as of November 26, 1917.

Original 6 teams

In 1942, the NHL expanded from six to seven teams with the addition of the Brooklyn Americans (later the New York Islanders), followed by the Minnesota North Stars (later the Dallas Stars) and Los Angeles Kings in 1967. The league dropped back to 17 teams when it merged with the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1979, but reached its current size of 31 teams in 2017 with the addition of the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers (later the Winnipeg Jets), Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild.

NHL Rule Changes

On June 1, 1979, the NHL made helmets mandatory for all incoming players, and strongly recommended that all players currently in the league should wear them as well. This rule change was brought about in an effort to increase player safety, and has had a profound effect on the game of hockey. Let’s take a look at how this rule change has affected the NHL.

1967: Goaltenders must wear protective masks

In November 1959, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante was slashed in the face by New York Rangers player Andy Bathgate. Plante required seven stitches to close the gash on his forehead. He returned to the game wearing a protective mask, becoming the first NHL goaltender to do so.

Though many think that Plante popularized wearing masks in games, he was actually not the first to do so. In 1930, Cliff Thompson of the New York Rangers wore a leather and wire mask in a game against theMontreal Maroons. Russ Farwell of the Philadelphia Arrows also wore a leather mask in 1930. Masks gained more popularity throughout the 1930s as goaltenders experimented with different materials and designs to find something that worked for them and provided adequate protection.

It wasn’t until 1959, when Plante returned to the game wearing a knit mask after his injury, that masks became widely used by NHL goaltenders. By 1967, all NHL goaltenders were required to wear masks during games.

1979: Helmets made mandatory for all players

In 1979, following the death of Bill Masterton, the NHL made helmets mandatory for all incoming players. Helmets had been required for all new players since 1967, but this was the first time existing players were forced to wear them as well. As a result, by the end of the 1979-80 season, all NHL players were required to wear helmets.

2013: visors made mandatory for all players

The NHL made visors mandatory for all players in 2013. The rule change was part of the NHL’s ongoing efforts to improve player safety.

Players who were already in the NHL when the rule was enacted were grandfathered in and were not required to wear visors. However, any player who had not yet played a NHL game was required to wear a visor.

The rule change was met with some resistance from players, but it has ultimately been successful in reducing the number of eye injuries in the NHL.

Why the change?

On June 1, 1979, the National Hockey League (NHL) became the first major professional sports league in North America to make helmets mandatory for all its players. The rule change was a direct result of the deaths of several NHL players who suffered fatal head injuries during the course of their careers. Let’s take a look at why the NHL decided to make helmets mandatory.

To protect players from head injuries

In 1979, several players were seriously injured as a result of head injuries, and the NHL felt that something needed to be done to protect its players. As a result, the league made the decision to require all players to wear helmets during games.

While there was some resistance to the change at first, most players soon realized that it was for the best. Thehelmets have helped to reduce the number of head injuries in the NHL, and they have also made the game safer for everyone involved.

So, when did the NHL require helmets? The answer is 1979.

To increase player safety

The NHL required helmets for incoming players beginning with the 1979-80 season. Players who had begun their careers prior to that date were “grandfathered” and were not required to wear helmets. In 2013, the NHL modified its rule to require all players regardless of when they began their careers, to wear visors. This was done in an effort to increase player safety.