Loose Cannon: Facing NHL Issues

I don’t think face protection is going to be an issue when my kid is old enough to play pro.  I think all of us who will remember these discussions will look at the arguments and issue and shake our heads and wonder why there was EVER debate over any of it…

I just don’t buy the “I can’t see very well with a visor or cage” angle that some players use when face protection is discussed.  Really?  So how’d they get so good before getting to the NHL level without being able to see?  Face protection is used all the way up that ladder to the NHL.  They get used to cages as babies, as many of them start playing at 4 or 5 and a helmet-cage combo is strapped on then and left on for the duration…until they go to the NHL.  So again, what about all those “fundamental years?”

The low-level argument is that this is nothing more than a “macho” thing.  Seriously?  Going out on the ice without some sort of protection for the face now seems more stupid than brave.  How about going out on the ice without a cup?  Not a pleasant thought? Oh, man up!  They’re only your balls.  It’s only potential fatherhood and a healthy, active sex life at risk.  How about going for a pee normally?  Wow…this is daring and exciting!   No man out there would think of going out on the ice without gearing up “down there” so why is it an issue for the face?  Is it really one thing when it’s genitals and quite the other when it’s teeth, eyes and brains at risk?

I think this comes down to sex.   The fans want to see their favorite players.  The want to see the expressions on their faces.  That’s personal, that’s sexy and that’s good stuff.  It also sells.  It’s not as good when our gliding- gladiators have anything covering their beautiful faces.  You know, if you’re one of those folk who have a problem with ice girls, you have to be have a problem with not requiring face protection. If we’re gonna scream “sexism” then apply it to this issue, too.  The safety of those players, if they won’t consider it themselves, needs to be first in everyone’s mind.  Not how much the fans are being satisfied by seeing the players, “up close and personal.”

One of my favorite NHL players is recovering from a traumatic injury at the moment.  Everyone wishes Manny Maholtra well.  My favorite Blue Jacket recently took a stick to the face and looks like an elementary school kid’s 4-H sewing project.  When Marc Methot came back out on the ice after being sewn up, he still didn’t have (at least) a visor.  The next game after the injury, he wasn’t wearing anything.  You know, I really thought Methot was smarter than that.  He told the media he would practice with a visor over the summer and get used to one for next season…well, that’s something…

I think when it’s my kid’s turn to play, none of this will be an issue.  The tide will turn and it will just happen.  Every generation brings something new and wonderful to the game of hockey.  I think when today’s mini-mites are old enough to play pro they’ll be wearing full face protection.  They’ll be the enlightened, thinking players.

And they’ll protect the thought process by full head and face gear.