I Don't Need No Stinkin' Mask
In the National Hockey League, can a player go on the ice without a helmet? Of course not, there is a rule which states that all players must wear helmets.
Can a goaltender play without wearing a mask. Don't be ridiculous! Of course goaltenders must wear…hey, wait a minute! Is it possible that a goalie could actually go "old school" like Johnny Bower and Glenn Hall and start flopping around bare-faced?
You might be surprised to know that there is absolutely nothing in the NHL rule book that says they can't!
I happened to discover this omission about a decade ago, though I can't recall exactly what possessed me to look it up. Anyway, I waited patiently until a few weeks later Colin Campbell came on the show and I popped the question.
"So, Mr. Sheriff," said I, "does a goaltender actually HAVE to wear a mask?"
"Of course he does," says Campbell, no doubt assuming I've lost my mind.
"Well then, can you please tell me where in the NHL rulebook it says that?"
"Not off the top of my head, but I'll get back to you."
He didn't. And the reason he didn't was because, no doubt to his shock and dismay, he discovered, as I had, that the rule doesn't exist.
This scene was played out at later dates with Gary Bettman and Bill Daly and others from the NHL. (I like to spring it on them when they get all pissy with me about something.) They always respond the same way and are completely incredulous that such a basic premise should have somehow managed to be omitted, and worse, that I (the anti-NHL guy) should have found it.
The other day on PTS, I noted that the Maple Leafs were about to embark on a road trip and that they planned to take FOUR goalies with them. Dan Dunleavy suggested they play all four at once. While Dan was joking, I immediately wondered if there actually was rule prohibiting such a strategy. So I summoned the idiot producer to the studio and commanded that he go off and find out if that might be legal. The idiot rolled his eyes as he exited and returned a few moments later, rulebook in hand, and like a parent scolding a child, informed me that only one "target" may play at any one time. His condescending attitude got my dander up and so I could not resist…
"So, Idiot, is there a rule that says a goaltender MUST wear a mask?"
Again his eyes tumbled in their sockets as he proclaimed, "Of course!"
"Okay," said I, "show me the rule."
More than thirty minutes later he threw up his hands and conceded defeat.
POSTSCRIPT:
The next day John Shannon calls me at home. He had been listening and decided to check for himself, so he called the guy who writes the rulebook. When informed of my observation he was, according to Shannon, speechless!
The bad news is that when the rulebook is next edited, it seems certain that the omission will be omitted and that all goaltenders will be required to don facial protection. That is scheduled to occur in 2012, therefore you have only a couple of years to wager with your friends. Carry on. Make bets. Win money. Drink many free beers!
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Gary M. Mugford wrote on Oct 31, 2009
Bob, I've actually won a french fry or two (I'm a teetotaler) with this very fact. Another interesting bet to catch somebody on that needs looking up is: Who was the last black player in big league baseball ... before Jackie Robinson? Clue? Robert Peterson's great book, "Only The Ball Was White." Key phrase is big league baseball, because Major League Baseball is actually a legal entity. But the majors back in the pre-1897 days didn't ban black players at all. Last clue. Two brothers. Think mid-America. Enjoy.Chris wrote on Oct 29, 2009
Rule #18 (a) refers to goalkeepers as players in terms of injuries. "When a player other than a goalkeeper is injured or compelled to leave the ice..." That infers that a goalkeeper is indeed a player.Chris wrote on Oct 29, 2009
They don't have to wear a mask, but they DO have to at least wear a helmet! Rule #22 (b). (Notice that it says "players" not "skaters".)SnidelyWhiplash wrote on Oct 29, 2009
Hey Bobcat - totally get your point. The actual words that a goalie MUST wear a mask dont exist in the rulebook. My point was that if the refs are taught to interpret any and all regulations so that the game cannot continue, or even start for that matter, unless both goalies are masked, this would preclude the ability of a goaltender to NOT wear one. What would be interesting is to talk to an NHL referee and, before any instructions from upstairs, see what HE says he was taught to do or would optionally do if presented with this scenario. Connected with any NHL refs anyone? Either way Bobcat, you win your beer, I was just pointing out that the scenario envisioned may never be able to take place due to interpretations of other rules that exist.Bob McCown wrote on Oct 28, 2009
In actual fact, a goaltender need not wear a helmet or a mask. Under the rules, a "player" is defined as any skater OTHER THAN a goaltender. As for stopping the game if a goalie loses his mask...this does not mean that he MUST wear one...only that if he does he will be afforded the opportunity to put it back on. Understand, all relatable rules were written under the assumption that facial protection was manditory for goaltenders and that such a rule actually existed. What I have tried to demonstrate is that IT DOES NOT!paul wrote on Oct 28, 2009
re Sidney's Comments. That situation is covered in Rule 9.5, which states: "When a goalkeeper has lost his helmet and/or face mask and his team has possession of the puck, the play shall be stopped immediately to allow the goalkeeper the opportunity to regain his helmet and/or face mask." A goaltender, according to the rules, has to wear a helmet like any other player, if he looses his helmet/mask play will be stopped. If he never has a mask to start with, play can continue.SnidelyWhiplash wrote on Oct 28, 2009
Gee Im positive Ive seen the game stopped in the past when the goalies mask came off. No penalty, no injury, just because the goalie lost his mask. Maybe the refs goofed? Not sure about this "rule" thing - if the play stops when the goalie loses his mask, doesnt that preclude needing it written in the rulebook the requirement to wear one?paul wrote on Oct 27, 2009
I don't get the criticism of the people in the NHL over this that some people have thrown out. This rule was written 50 years ago, back when not everyone wore a mask. As time goes on, people forget about it, more and more guys wear masks, and so when Gary Bettman and co take over, with goalies wearing masks for 20+ years, everyone assumed it was there. Now they'll correct it. No big deal (other than winning some bar bets really.)redmile wrote on Oct 27, 2009
It's amazing that a rule like this can be overlooked by the NHL. I guess they never thought about it since it's common sense to wear a helmet if you're going to put youself in front of a slapshot. Even so, I'm definitely going to win myself a few bets in the next couple years...Sue M wrote on Oct 26, 2009
I need to get myself an idiot producer. All I have is an idiot husband. lolgmuny2002 wrote on Oct 26, 2009
So, what's the big deal?! If you're crazy enough to get in net w/o a mask, that should be on you, right?Chris wrote on Oct 26, 2009
Leagues tend to operate in a reactive manner as opposed to a proactive manner. They write rules (or rewrite rules) only when problems surface. This could be the result of a player or coach abusing a particular rule (or lack thereof), or to rectify an imbalance in the game. Therefore I'm actually not surprised that there is no rule requiring a goalie mask. What benefit would there be to not wearing one? (The goalies voluntarily decided to wear masks to save their own life.) Here's a rule yet to be exploited: There is no size limit on an NHL goalie. What's to stop a team from signing a 500lb SUMO sized goalie? They have to wear a jersey that fits them. They could block the entire net without moving. As a GM, I would set the record for signing the largest goalie ever.YukonSloMo wrote on Oct 26, 2009
Does this loop hole not lead itself to a bigger picture or deficiency withing the NHL's hiearchy? These guys do not know their own rule book?! And suffice to say...that is all we as fans need to know about them.paul wrote on Oct 25, 2009
This has been something that has always baffled me. In fact, if you check the rulebook: "Rule 11.7 Masks – Protective masks of a design approved by the League may be worn by goalkeepers. Protective masks deemed to be worn only to increase stopping area will be considered illegal." Yep, they MAY wear a mask. I guess this is along the lines of a lack of laws that make it illegal to poke sticks and needles into our eyes.