What year were helmets required in NHL?

Answer 1

In August 1979, then president of the National Hockey League (NHL), John Ziegler, announced that protective helmets would become mandatory in the NHL. "The introduction of the helmet rule will be an additional safety factor," he said. The only exception to the rule are players -- after signing a waiver form -- who signed pro contracts prior to 1 June 1979.

Answer 2

The 1979 NHL Draft class was the first group of players who had to wear a protective helmet. Veteran players, those in the league prior to 1979 were able to continue playing without helmets. The last player in the league to play under the "helmetless grandfather clause" was Craig MacTavish in 1997.

Answer 3

It appears that helmets have always been a part of collegiate hockey. Helmets were not mandatory in the National Hockey League, however, until 1979. Even then, any player who had been playing prior to the rule was grandfathered in, and was allowed to play without a helmet.

Answer 4

The helmet rule in the NHL was instituted for all new players entering the league in 1979. Existing players had the option to wear a helmet or not. The last NHL player to play helmetless was Craig MacTavish in 1997.

Answer 5

NHL players started wearing helmets as soon as the the 1928-29 season when Boston Bruins' player George Owen wore one. However, they carried a negative stigma that they did not begin to shed until after Bill Masterson died after suffering severe brain trauma in 1968. After that players began wearing helmets more often and in 1979 the league mandated that any players who signed professional contracts after that date would be required to wear a helmet. Players already playing in the league were exempt from this new rule. Craig McTavish would be the last player to play in the NHL without a helmet, retiring after the 1996-97 season.

Answer 6

Helmets became mandatory in the NHL in August of 1979. The only players exempt from the rule were those who signed a professional contract prior to June 1, 1979, and also signed a waiver allowing them to play without a helmet. The death of Minnesota North Stars player Bill Masterton in due to a head injury after being sent flying and hitting his head on the ice 1968 really changed players' stigma about helmets. By the time helmets were made mandatory in '79, 70% of players were already wearing them. The last player to play without a helmet was Craig MacTavish during the 1996-97 season.

Answer 7

Mouth guards are not mandatory in the NHL, but they are highly recommended because they protect your teeth and also soften blows to the head.