How come many hockey players don't wear mouthguards?

[Riprorin]

I started playing before the days of face masks but at least we had a piece of plastic that covered the mouth.

Do players today not wear mouthguards because it interfers with talking/breathing or it a macho thing?

I wouldn't think of playing now without a shield, much less a mouthguard.

 

[TheNinja]

The NHL players have an attitude and a reputation to uphold as mean, tough guys. They like things old school and claim that face shields interfere with there play and it's probably the same thing with mouthguards, even though I'm sure that if they used either device for a little while they would get used to it. I think it is a macho thing to have cuts and bruises on your face in hockey and they probably get ripped on by other guys if they were a shield or a face mask of any sort. It's all macho until someone gets their eye poked out......ya you Mr. Berard.

 

[huesmann]

Cause they took one too many blows to the head when they wuz fightin'

 

[Riprorin]

Just read that James Patrick on the Sabres took a stick to the face and had to get 25 stitches on his upper lip (of course, after he got stitched up he returned to the game). A couple of nights later, he took a puck in the mouth which knocked out his front teeth and moved back his bridge. Later he was complaining that he was still in pain because he hadn't gotten to dentist to have the nerves removed! To top things off, he was in pain from a couple of brken ribs.

Man, these guys are nuts!

 

[brentman]

I think most if not all Pro hockey players use a clear mouthpiece. You can see them chewing on something most of the game, and I'm sure its not a piece of gum.

Not sure, but I think a full face shield isnt allowed in the NHL unless medical reasons. Something about taking the element of fighting(big crowd pleaser) out of the game or something. I could be wrong on that one tho.

I play hockey and don't have a face shield or wear a mouthpiece, but would use a mouthpiece if I played in a contact league.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: brentman

I play hockey and don't have a face shield or wear a mouthpiece, but would use a mouthpiece if I played in a contact league.

They have non-contact hockey? Is that basically figure skating around with a stick? I thought the whole point of hockey was the contact? j/k....actually sounds like fun

 

[brentman]

It's just a recreation league, basically old man's hockey I guess. It is a good time. There is still some contact, but not like when I played in high school.

 

[Doggiedog]

Probably because they have no teeth left to protect.

 

[Wingznut]

Many do wear mouthpieces. Most don't, though.

Hell, they probably wouldn't be wearing helmets if it wasn't required.

 

[Jeff7181]

A lot of players do have mouthpieces... and a lot would wear helmets even if they weren't required. There are a few oldtimers in the league would probably wouldn't, but most realize the risk and see that wearing a helmet has no effect on their mobility on the ice.

Face shields are optional... but if you wear one, you MUST take it off prior to fighting.

The main danger I see in NHL hockey today is that seamless glass. It doesn't have as much give as the regular glass with the stantions in between, so there's a lot more injuries from being checked into the glass because it's more like being checked into a brick wall.

 

[nitsuj3580]

it's usually a requirement to get a few teeth knocked out if you have a full set. Then you can wear a mouthguard.

 

[dquan97]

good thing I'm a goalie

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
Many do wear mouthpieces. Most don't, though.

Hell, they probably wouldn't be wearing helmets if it wasn't required.

More and more are becoming concerned for their health and well being though.

 

[thomsbrain]

you can't trash talk with a big piece of rubber in your mouth