One of the things that makes hockey so dangerous is the fact that players skate with minimal facial protection. The visor protects their eyes, which is a marked improvement over nothing at all.
But their teeth and nose are left exposed to sticks, pucks, and the errant skate too. John Carlson's recent trauma, which left him needing his ear reattached, caught the attention of even non-hockey fans. Colorado Avalanche forward Alex Newhook is the latest victim, catching a redirected puck from his own teammate, which caused a serious leak from his facial region:
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The case for full facial protection is made stronger by each additional incident like this, but it's unlikely that players will ever consent. They all understand the risks associated and still prefer the added visibility of the visor.
Perhaps like the helmet was eventually adopted, full facial protection could become the norm in the future.
Should the NHL mandate full facial protection to mitigate events like Newhook and Carlson?
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