Hockey Helmets Primer

Most players didn't wear hockey helmets until the early 1980's. By the early 1990's helmets became a required piece of equipment in hockey. The last helmet-less player in the NHL was Craig MacTavish, who started playing before helmets were required and was grandfathered in. He continued playing without a helmet until his very last game in 1997.

A hockey helmet protects the head from serious injury. It grips the head by cupping the occipital protuberance, or the back of the head. Helmets must be fit to an individual head. The helmet size is found by comparing head size to a chart from the manufacture. To find the proper size measure around the head from about one inch above the eyebrows. While they have a custom fit, modern hockey helmets can be adjusted without any tools. Older models must be adjusted by loosening screws found on either side of the helmet. This slides the front section of the helmet forwards or backwards. If a helmet doesn't have a tight fit it reduces the effectiveness of the helmet by allowing it to shift. This is dangerous because it can fall into the player's field of vision. Helmets are made with vinyl nitrile which absorbs impact, reduces force, and reduces the odds of receiving a concussion. A visor is often worn in addition to the helmet, especially in Junior leagues where they are required.

Youth Hockey Helmets

Hockey helmets are required for children who enjoy the game. Head and neck injuries make up about 23% of total injuries in Youth hockey. Unfortunately helmets aren't necessarily great protection for kids. Due to their high growth rates children are prone to wear helmets that might not be the best fit for their head. Most kids believe their helmets offer total protection against injury. In the sixties helmets gained popularity among young players, but surprisingly the amount of spinal and head injuries went up. This gave the children a false sense of security when it came time to play. While this is unfortunate, hockey helmets still provide a good deal of protection for children as long as they get resized at least once a year.

Hockey Helmet Decals

Many amateur players like to personalize their helmets by applying decorative decals and custom paint jobs to them. While it does give a player his own style, customizing a hockey helmet can void it certification. This is fine for amateur players, but league players should look over the league guidelines to make sure it conforms to their standards. Otherwise they may find themselves sitting out on game day.