NHL Cracks Down on Helmetless Warmups, Reminds Teams of Mandatory Rule
The National Hockey League is issuing a memo to all teams reinforcing its rule requiring helmets during pre-game warmups, a response to a recent trend of players skating without head protection. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league is addressing the issue after several teams defied the regulation in recent games.
The rule, outlined in NHL rule 9.6, mandates helmet use for “all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later.” The league initially amended its rules in 2022 to prioritize player safety, notably for rookies who previously participated in warmups without helmets before their NHL debuts-a longstanding tradition.Veteran players who were in the league prior to the 2019-2020 season are exempt.
The issue came to light after the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks both opted to forgo helmets during warmups at a game against the Vegas Golden knights. Senators forward Shane Pinto explained the team’s decision as an attempt to change their losing streak in Vegas, stating, “it was pretty cool to do.” The Senators afterward won the game 4-3 in a shootout, while the Sharks lost 4-3.
In a separate incident, the New Jersey Devils took the ice wearing hats instead of helmets to honor defenseman Brenden Dillon’s 1,000th NHL game.
“It is mandatory for all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear their helmet during pre-game warm-up,” the rule states. Daly indicated the memo serves as a reminder of the existing regulation and aims to ensure compliance across the league.
