It’s pretty hard to believe that most players didn’t wear hockey helmets until about 1980. What’s harder to believe is that there weren’t more serious head injuries to players who didn’t wear them. It’s unthinkable to step onto the ice these days without wearing a helmet. Well, actually it’s against the rules in just about every league in the world to play without a hockey helmet. And there’s definitely a good reason for it, as hard rubber pucks and hockey sticks are constantly whizzing by players’ heads at lightning speed, not to mention the razor sharp skate blades and thunderous body checks.
Hockey helmets are made of hard plastic or composite materials and have foam padding inside of them to soften any impact. A good helmet should also protect your ears and should allow you to attach a face shield to it if it doesn’t come with one built in. Your hockey helmet should fit snugly and be well ventilated to keep you cool. Make sure your helmet has been safety approved. Hockey helmets come in various sizes, colors, materials and styles.
