| ARTICLES |
| NHL VISOR USE AT ALL TIME HIGH Reported as of November 8th, 2006 |
A record 47 per cent of NHL skaters are wearing visors this season, according to a survey by The Hockey News.
The Hockey News study revealed that 301 of 640 skaters on NHL rosters are wearing eye protection, up from 244
(38 per cent) in 2005-06.
Six years ago, in 2000-01, only 131 NHLers (24 per cent) used eye protection. In 2001-02, the total rose to 191 (28
per cent). The number increased to 209 (32 per cent) in 2002-03 and 227 (35 per cent) in 2003-04.
In 1998-99, when there were only 28 teams in the NHL, only 15 per cent of skaters wore eye protection. In
1999-00, it was 21 per cent.
This season, the Colorado Avalanche lead the NHL with 15 players using visors. (Colorado also led the NHL in
2005-06, with 13 visor-wearers.) The Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators are next with 14 apiece. At the other
end, the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues only have seven visored players each. The average
is 10 visor-wearing players per team.
Goaltenders, who wear facemasks, aren¹t included in the survey, which was conducted the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 1.
The Hockey News study revealed that 301 of 640 skaters on NHL rosters are wearing eye protection, up from 244
(38 per cent) in 2005-06.
Six years ago, in 2000-01, only 131 NHLers (24 per cent) used eye protection. In 2001-02, the total rose to 191 (28
per cent). The number increased to 209 (32 per cent) in 2002-03 and 227 (35 per cent) in 2003-04.
In 1998-99, when there were only 28 teams in the NHL, only 15 per cent of skaters wore eye protection. In
1999-00, it was 21 per cent.
This season, the Colorado Avalanche lead the NHL with 15 players using visors. (Colorado also led the NHL in
2005-06, with 13 visor-wearers.) The Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators are next with 14 apiece. At the other
end, the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues only have seven visored players each. The average
is 10 visor-wearing players per team.
Goaltenders, who wear facemasks, aren¹t included in the survey, which was conducted the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 1.