OT - hockey fact

[26 Year Gap]

Not to burst the balloon, but helmets were in use earlier than that. A lot of these email pass-alongs are really not well researched.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Not to burst the balloon, but helmets were in use earlier than that. A lot of these email pass-alongs are really not well researched.

Killjoy.

[AKOFL]

That is because some contact to the head wont kill you, but some contact to the groin and you wish you were dead.

[Jay R]

The NHL made helmets mandatory in 1979 but about 70% of the players were already wearing them. Craig McTavish was the last NHL player to not wear a helmet (in 96 or 97?). The rule was grandfathered so McTavish was no obligated to wear one. I'm sure he did wear a cup though.

[DLH17]

I always remember 1979 from the NHL perspective for 2 main reasons:

1. the mandatory helmet rule
2. Wayne Gretzky's rookie season in the NHL - scored 51 goals and 137 pts

[26 Year Gap]

The source was probably someone like the test marcher in Farmington ME. Hates men. Makes up stuff to justify the hate.

[spoiler alert in Bangor Daily News]

[BillyMac]

In Major League baseball, helmets were mandated in 1971, however, players who were grandfathered in could choose to not wear one if they wished.

Who was the last Major League player to bat without wearing a batting helmet, in 1979.