Did you hear about the minor hockey player who died after hitting his head on the ice during a fight, after his helmet fell off?
Now I think the league has added penalties for players who lose their helmets. That's an interesting approach, considering the people who think that fighting should be banned.
Speaking of losing helmets, the Swedish goalie in the World Cup series lost his face mask plenty of times, resulting in stoppages of play, as per the rules in the competition.
I remember Gump Worsely, the last goalie to play without a helmet. That guy was tough as nails and would face up to Bobby Hull's 110MPH slap shots all the time as he played in the same conference. I would like to see this as a personal choice, and not just a reaction to a bizarre accident.
Shit happens. And that includes death, which incidentally, is part of life.
Looking for peace, and finally getting it...... 
Welcome to the Nanny State 
I am getting tired of these reactionary "we gotta do something" everytime something bad happens. Nothing will bring this boy back and it is unfortunate. And others will die in the future, no matter what is/isn't done.
Bottom line: It's just another opportunity for government control and stuffing their coffers a little more with rediculous litigation.
Looking for peace, and finally getting it......
I am getting tired of these reactionary "we gotta do something" everytime something bad happens. Nothing will bring this boy back and it is unfortunate. And others will die in the future, no matter what is/isn't done.Bottom line: It's just another opportunity for government control and stuffing their coffers a little more with rediculous litigation.
You 2 crack me up!
I totally understand that you are both fed up with govt. sticking it'snose where it doesn't belong. I get that.
But I also think you are both a bit quick to blame govt. for things...in this case...that govt. has nothing to do with.
It is the league that is changing the rules.
And the original post doesn't even state that it was an American team!!!!!!
I believe it was a Canadian team. All my searches re: helmet rules only come up with the fact that canadian players have died as a result of not wearing them...and so the league has decided to make wearing them mandatory.................even the coaches.
And...FTR....I agree with the league's decision. It's about the safety of the players... It's also about a family game...where the little one's often watch... I'm thinking watching a player die on ice might be a wee bit much for a "game".
Games have rules.
Players either play by the rules..........or get outa the game. 
I can see that, Lynn!
But, I must admit that I really grow really tired of "having to do something" after the fact sentiment. This was a one in a million accident. And, I'll bet that those in Canada who play outdoors still play without helmets. And' I'll bet Canadian or hockey players in general have died with their helmets on as well.
It's like fighting. Fighting is part of the game, yet all authorities seem to want to position themselves as anti-fighting. Truth be told, they all know and love that part of the game. Truth be told, they know it will always exist. No matter what they do.
Players don't play by those "rules". And they're still playing, aren't they?
Looking for peace, and finally getting it......
Um.,..nope
"But, I must admit that I really grow really tired of "having to do something" after the fact sentiment."
No one asked you to do anything after the fact. This is a PRIVATE club...not a govt. sponsored club. Here's a reality check for ya...
The RULE has been there for ever! The issue today is ENFORCING the rule...not creating one. As a parent I damn well WANT them to enforce it...
And, I'll bet that those in Canada who play outdoors still play without helmets
If you're talking kids..........that's VERY VERY RARE. Believe what you want about Canada....here's some facts for ya.
WE LOVE WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. Plus it's against the law not to.
WE LOVE WEARING BIKE HELMETS. Plus it's against the law not to.
WE LOVE WEARING HOCKEY HELMETS. Plus it's against the rules not to.
And' I'll bet Canadian or hockey players in general have died with their helmets on as well.
There have been a grand total of 4(including today's report) on-ice head injury related deaths since 1896 - with the first on-ice head injury death occuring in 1907............when helmets were not the rule. In fact the last death of this kind was in 1972 - excluding today. And since the helmet rule was not put into place until 1979 - it logically follows that..........HELMETS SAVE LIVES!
As for "fighting" and hockey...this is my forte.
While fighting may be partof the game...as you may recall this has been to the canadian supreme court as a charter challenge because it turnes out....one cannot consent to assault. Thus while "fighting" is acceptable........there are very strict rules that govern such fighting. Just ask Bertuzzi...or Brashear...
If a player goes beyond the rules........they are criminally charged.
OK...so there you have it.
1.) It's not the govt. being a jerk.
2.) It's been PROVEN that helmets save lives...that's why the OHL WHL andNHL demand that their players wear them.
3.) Canadians LOVE being safe.
4.) It's not possible to consent to assault...thus there are also rules for fighting.
PS.............I LOVE this game. Did you know there is a University course out of SFU called Hockey In Canadian Popular Culture........it's the hardest course to get into - I aced it way back when...and this is MY SPORT! And ya...I DO love the fighting. I was one of those people who backed Bertuzzi on national television..................... Just before the big fat strike!
Good stuff, Lynn! Especially that course. That would be something I would also be interested in....
But only four deaths since 1896? Doesn't that somewhat back up my position? I have nothing against those who wish to wear helmets. Hell, I'd wear one if I were still playing today. I used to play goalie.
The issue today is ENFORCING the rule
There you have it. I thought you Canadians LOVED to wear your helmets!
Other Items:
These actions will lead to govt. enforcement someday. Hence my concern over sentiment. But, I agree that this is really small potatoes on my radar. As for fighting, Bertuzzi never meant to do what damage he did to Brashear and the government also needs to stay out of the game. Leave that up to the league to handle.
I love this game as well! How's Calgary doing?
Looking for peace, and finally getting it......
It's called paranoia and yea it happens everywhere. Everytime something happens, someone feels that they have to make some sort of change to prevent any similar event from ever occurring again. There are basically two sides--those that feel they have to change the rules, and those that feel they shouldn't be forced to conform. The motorcycle helmet issue is a good example. Yes a helmet will slightly improve a person's chance of living if he/she crashes. Still, many people believe that they shouldn't be forced to wear a helmet.
It's called paranoia and yea it happens everywhere. Everytime something happens, someone feels that they have to make some sort of change to prevent any similar event from ever occurring again. There are basically two sides--those that feel they have to change the rules, and those that feel they shouldn't be forced to conform. The motorcycle helmet issue is a good example. Yes a helmet will slightly improve a person's chance of living if he/she crashes. Still, many people believe that they shouldn't be forced to wear a helmet.
Exactly, it dumb to not wear a M/C helmet but legislating common sense is not the answer. But in the same breath if the Hockey League itself imposed those rules, well it is their league. But as Lynn stated there have been 4 death's in the league due to no helmet's. But for how many years the league has been in existence I personally don't see a major threat here, but again it's their league.
