Hockey and Visors

On October 24,2011 the Philadelphia Flyers faced off against the Maple Leafs  ending a two game loosing streak . Needless to say the game didn’t finish without injury. The captain of the Flyers, Chris Pronger, was hit in the face by Mikhail Grabovski’s follow through shot. I cringed as I watched Pronger hit the ice, hands covering his eyes. In those moments ,  Pronger lost control and his calm demeanor evaporated as he ran on skates off the ice, “his feet moving, his manner so unsettling, so frantic.” (Philly.com) This accident could have been avoided by using a visor. 

In the American Hockey league it’s mandatory for players who were born after  December 31, 1974 to wear visors but some veteran players (for whatever reason) refuse to wear them. The visors now are more technologically advanced so the glass doesn’t fog up which was a major problem in the past. One of the “problems” that players have today is the sweat and water that clings to the glass but that can easily be remedied by wiping it off. Sweat and water momentarily fogging the visor mask is a small price to pay for eye and face safety. Pronger lost his eyesight for several minutes but thankfully gained it back. The doctor ordered Pronger to be on bed rest for 3-4 days to make sure there are no  further complications.  

 Of  the  eighteen  Flyers  players that dress for the games ,  only fifteen players wear visors. The risk of losing your eyesight and your job isn’t worth it. People are skating around throwing bodies at one another, checking each other into boards and there’s the occasional high sticking and fights  are common place in the NHL . There would be  fewer  injuries if players would just suck  it up, put their  pride  aside  and  use a  visor. Those who don’t wear visors are used to playing without them ; they have played without the visor  for so long  they   probably think it’s stupid  and possibly unnecessary.  Although I understand where they’re coming from , sometimes change is just for the better!  When I played fieldhockey in high school I never wore a face mask  - no one did.  It wasn't mandatory.     However,  after taking a field hockey stick to my face (in between my eyes) , I began wearing a metal eye goggles which were used for lacrosse..  I felt stupid because I was the only one on the team who wore  the goggles,   but I would rather feel stupid wearing the mask than risk getting a concussion or losing my eye sight.  

I think visors or additional face protection should be mandatory for all ice hockey players.  I think this is one rule that should not be optional.