NHL Mandates Helmets for Teams During Warmups

The NHL is reinforcing its helmet mandate during warmups following a series of incidents where teams skated without helmets. This trend, observed particularly this season, has prompted the league to issue reminders to teams about compliance with Rule 9.6.

NHL Helmet Mandate for Warmups

According to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, the NHL rules dictate that players who entered the league from the 2019-2020 season onward must wear helmets during warmups. This policy aims to enhance player safety, particularly for rookies who participated in warmups without proper headgear prior to their official debuts, a practice allowed under an older tradition.

Recent Incidents

Several teams have recently diverged from this rule, leading to significant discussion. The Ottawa Senators, for example, participated in warmups without helmets during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. This event took place on a Wednesday after the Senators had lost six consecutive games at T-Mobile Arena. Team forward Shane Pinto shared that players made the decision to go without helmets during a team dinner, aiming to change their luck. The Senators ultimately triumphed in a dramatic 4-3 shootout.

In a similar situation, the San Jose Sharks also opted for helmet-less warmups in Vegas, following a streak of five losses on the road against the Knights. Despite this decision, they encountered a defeat, losing 4-3 to their division rivals. Forward Will Smith noted that the choice was simply a team decision influenced by the festive mood of a Saturday night in Vegas.

Additional Celebrations

Notably, the New Jersey Devils took a different approach on Tuesday night, deciding to wear hats instead of helmets in honor of defenseman Brenden Dillon’s milestone achievement of playing his 1,000th NHL game.

Understanding the Rule

Rule 9.6 explicitly states the requirement for helmet usage during warmups for eligible players. It clarifies that players who joined the league before the 2019-2020 season are exempt from this mandate. The rule adjustment made in 2022 is part of the NHL’s ongoing commitment to player safety, mirroring the earlier implementation of visor regulations. The league hopes that adherence to helmet use will protect players and reduce the risk of injury during warmups.

• Rule 9.6: Mandatory helmet usage during warmups for players post-2019-2020.
• Ottawa Senators: Skated helmet-less and won 4-3 against the Golden Knights.
• San Jose Sharks: Went without helmets but lost 4-3 in their matchup.
• New Jersey Devils: Wore hats to celebrate Brenden Dillon’s 1,000th game.