Cages?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by calumniate

It's funny that goalies can stop 100 mph pucks donning their masks but that full cages look like they're from the 80's. Bouma looks like a nerd out there right now even though he's as tough as they come. How about a full cage redesign? I think we're due for one

Something like a field lacrosse helmet maybe?

[CalgaryFan1988]

What's so bad about the half visor half cage combo? I've never had an issue with fogging up, myself.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Cages are dangerous in hits when not all players are wearing them

Not allowed the cage in NHL unless you're injured

It would have to be a league-wide mandate for sure.

[Ben_in_Canada]

I don't wear a cage or visor, personal preference. I do have one that I keep in my bag in case I need it. I find it fogs and my eyes feel like they get hot.

I always cringe when everyone on the other team is wearing a cage. I usually find those team to be more chippy and reckless with their sticks. Just my observation.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_Canada

I do have one that I keep in my bag in case I need it.

What do you mean "in case you need it"? Generally, by then, it's too late.


Edit: unless you mean some leagues its mandatory.


.

[flamesfan6]

i don't understand people in rec leagues that don't at least have a visor, my visor has saved me from high sticks multiple times and the puck a few times.

Been hit in the chin twice (required stitches once) with the puck, but if that was my eyes..

It's rec hockey... you're not getting paid millions of dollars for the risk of that type of injury

I get the comfort thing - that's why I'm stupid and wear a visor instead of full cage, at least my eyes will be covered

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I switched to a full cage a few years ago, and I think it definitely impairs my ability to track the puck at or near my feet.

But I'm also a grown-up now, and I've lost enough teeth playing hockey already, thank you very much.

[Neeper]

My cage has saved me from serious injury a few times for sure. I'll always wear it. I like my face.

[Goriders]

I like my teeth. That's why I wear mine.

[DoubleF]

I think the NFL thing is different because everyone wears "cages". NHL is different because of differing levels of facial equipment. If everyone took on a cage and was in the same boat, it's one thing and the grumbling would likely be low. If certain people are hindered but others not, everyone prefers not to be on team hindered and disregarding the risk to keep up a high level of play.

I also hope (if it's not done yet) that kevlar socks be mandatory at the NHL level.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Gallick

Consider it a remaining artifact of the no-helmet days. It's only in the last decade or so that people have even been considering grandfathering in mandatory half shields. At this point in time I guess there just haven't been enough serious facial injuries for players or the league to consider changing the rules, and as long as the rules allow players to go without, they will. Professional athletes are stubborn and superstitious - look at some of the rituals that players go through before every game.

9.7 Visors - Beginning with the 2013-2014 season, all players who have fewer than 25 games of NHL experience must wear a visor properly affixed to their helmet. Visors are to be affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I hate wearing a cage, so i dont expect NHLers to wear one either.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Reaper

9.7 Visors - Beginning with the 2013-2014 season, all players who have fewer than 25 games of NHL experience must wear a visor properly affixed to their helmet. Visors are to be affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection.

Is there a penalty if the cage isn't "affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection"?

I can't think of any player off the top of my head, but I am sure some try to tilt the visor so it isn't in their line of sight.

Can the other team request this is looked at, along the lines of a stick measurment?

[heep223]

Make a cage mandatory at every level of hockey including professional. Of course grand-father the current generations in, but eventually you'll have an NHL where everybody is wearing a cage and nobody has known anything different.

Just an idea. If you don't know anything different and there are no exceptions, maybe it isn't such a big deal.

I hate wearing a cage also. We've had a few pretty bad injuries in the beer leagues, bad cuts, teeth broken....not a single of those guys has changed over to a cage. Though we have had more guys using mouth guards. We play in the highest division so guys are good at controlling sticks and pucks, but some damage is inevitable. I played one game in a far lower division once, very first play got smashed in the mouth with a stick. Those divisions should have mandatory cages, holy hell. I will never do that again.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Is there a penalty if the cage isn't "affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection"?

I can't think of any player off the top of my head, but I am sure some try to tilt the visor so it isn't in their line of sight.

Can the other team request this is looked at, along the lines of a stick measurement?

Currently there are no dispensations for teams to request an inspection but I'm pretty sure the referee has the ability to send a player off the ice until their visor issues are sorted to the official's satisfaction. It is kind of a grey area but it doesn't have the same potential for abuse leading to a competitive advantage like the rules regarding stick dimensions.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Is there a penalty if the cage isn't "affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection"?

I can't think of any player off the top of my head, but I am sure some try to tilt the visor so it isn't in their line of sight.

Can the other team request this is looked at, along the lines of a stick measurment?

Leo Komarov has a useless visor:

Spoiler!

[Coach]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

I hate wearing a cage, so i dont expect NHLers to wear one either.

It's not a question of whether or not they want to wear them. It's about whether or not should.

Im sure almost anyone would prefer to not wear something they have to from a tie to a hard hat to a gas mask. If its about safety and protecting mutli-million dollar investments, shouldnt it be mandatory?

[Joborule]

Women's hockey require cages. Men hockey players, can play with the cages as well. It's something that could become mandatory in the future, because there are going to be more facial and potentially concussion related injuries that could've been prevented by wearing a cage. It's going to take multiple serious cases however for the hockey culture to become more tolerant of cages. Majority of male players aren't going to want to ware cages because they don't feel it's necessary. Heck, I wonder if lots of women would opt out of wearing cages if it wasn't necessary?

Plus, I would rather keep my teeth, rather than having to get them replaced when I had a reasonable alternative to prevent losing them in the first place.

[GioforPM]

I beleive first year juniors all wear cages, right?

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I beleive first year juniors all wear cages, right?

I don't think it's first year players. I think it's mandatory for players that get exceptional status and can play at 15.