Full Speed Ahead On Full Face Shields This Season

When the puck drops locally on the Junior C and Junior B season, there will be an extra layer of protection guarding Junior hockey players across Ontario, as the OHA rolls out mandatory face protection this season.

Players will be mandated to wear full cages, or shields, abandoning the practice of half visors.

“The data with respect to facial and dental injuries while wearing half visors compared
to full facial protection is staggering,” wrote OHA president Karen Phibbs in an OHA Information Bulletin.

“The OHA Board of Directors categorize this as a serious risk management concern that must be
addressed with the utmost regard for player safety and the teams involved. With all players wearing full facial protection in all Junior categories, the OHA is confident that serious facial, and dental injuries will be greatly reduced from our game and the Association will be able to provide a safer environment for player development.”

Half visors came into use in the OHA over approximately a decade ago at all levels, but according to the OHA, the impact on safety was too great to continue to practice.

The Junior B GOJHL season gets underway at the annual Showcase, held this year in Brantford, from September 8 to 10. The PJHL Junior C season begins the week following.