The debate about whether visors should be mandatory for NHL players is again at the forefront of the hockey landscape, after a horrific incident in which New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal took a puck to the eye Tuesday night.
The NHL wants mandatory visors, however in order for that to be instituted into the game, it would need approval from the NHL Players’ Association.
It appears the NHLPA rejects the idea of mandatory visors, according to a statement from Mathieu Schneider, special assistant to the execution director of the players union, in the New York Times.
“The players support visor use being a matter of individual choice,” Schneider said in the statement.
“We continue to regularly educate the players on the benefits of wearing a visor so that each player can make an informed decision.
“We will further discuss visors and other important equipment-related matters at our player meetings this summer.”
Staal is out of the Rangers lineup indefinitely, however doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery from the eye injury.