The Last Helmetless Player In The NHL

A look back at former player and current Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish, the last helmetless player in the NHL.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• NHL
• hockey
• craig
• mactavish

[lenceagle1]

When I first started watching hockey, every team seemed to have one guy without a helmet. I still think they were cool.

Rod Langway, Phil Russel, etc.

[surfer53]

It's interesting to me that everyone is talking about more stringent rules and better equipment for the players because of concussions. I don't seem to remember that being an issue for MacT and hockey in the 80s and 90s included guys whose sole purpose was to rough it up. Something doesn't make sense here.

[98setaB]

@surfer53 Guys just played with concussions, not knowing they even had one. Now some guys are in hospital beds and can't talk anymore. 50 years ago, we didnt know cigarettes harmed us, does that mean they don't ?

[TheQneb]

I remember seeing highlight videos like NHL ice hot and others when i was kid and I allways wondered why so many times some guys play without helmet.. I thought they had just dropped their helmets allways.. Tough guys, 90's NHL was very physichal and hitting to head with shoulder was not even against the rules, and skates were allowed to leave the ice when hitting...

[stillcovalent]

Don Cherry would love this.

[jkappianaq]

@TheDjd53 So did Craig MacTavish in Boston

[skydome29]

@surfer53 equipments harder (or should i say armor), its A LOT faster all around, the two line pass rule is no longer in effect, stick work is mitigated, and basically everything is becoming an infraction which would slow a player down. faster game+faster players+harder equipment=more injuries.

[Minacious]

Last player. Badass.

[JimB667]

i was born in 86 and defnitely still remember seeing one or 2 always didnt have a helmet

[TheDjd53]

@44sox44 Ever hear of Danny Heatley? He pleaded guilty for vehicular homicide and was playing before the end of that season!