Face masks

[jdh]

Anyone remember what year full face masks became mandatory for MN high school hockey?

[ryguyMN]

Trying to find an answer. NCAA implemented the full cage rule in 1978. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2012/6/8/ice- ... ields.aspx

Based on researching vintage photos over at Vintage Minnesota Hockey, MSHSL players started wearing the full mask in the 1978 state tourney, so my guess would be 1977-78 season was the first year.

[jdh]

I found a pic of Grand Rapids from 1974 and they didn’t have the masks.

[xy]

An older brother who was a senior in 1976-77 told me they were deemed optional for that year, before becoming mandatory the next year. My hazy recollection is that very few if any players exercised that option in 76-77.

[norcon]

Mandatory 77-78. My senior year.