Full face shields could be coming to MJHL
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This article was published 21/11/2022 (1145 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba Junior Hockey League games could look different to fans and players beginning December 15.
That’s the scheduled day a Hockey Canada mandate all junior A players across Canada must wear full face protection is scheduled to come into effect.
Steinbach Pistons head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said he thinks negotiations are ongoing between the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which organizes junior A leagues across Canada except in B.C., and Hockey Canada.
Teams across Canada might be left scrambling to find enough cages.
“We don’t have any cages,” Dyck said.
“At this point, until we’re given the green light to order cages, we don’t have any in stock.”
The move to full cages at the junior A level was approved by Hockey Canada’s membership in June. Full face protection in all leagues below junior A was implemented in the 2020/2021 season.
In a statement, Hockey Canada shared the exact wording of the rule, which teams in the CJHL must follow beginning Dec. 15.
”The wearing of a CSA-certified full facial protector or visor for players registered with Senior (recommended but optional for male adult recreational hockey) and Major Junior hockey teams will be compulsory,” it reads.
“In all other categories and divisions of hockey including female hockey, the wearing of a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified full facial protector will be compulsory.”
While Hockey Canada’s statement was clear they expect teams to begin wearing cages this winter, the CJHL isn’t sure.
“The CJHL continues to discuss the matter with Hockey Canada, per the Hockey Canada-CJHL Partnership Agreement,” reads a short statement from CJHL chair Robert Mazzuca.
Dyck added he’s pretty sure Steinbach isn’t alone in not preparing for the potential equipment-change.
“My understanding is no one in our league has taken the step of securing cages for their players, and we’re not going to do that until we’re authorized to,” he said.
Players younger than 18-years-old are required to wear full face protection in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. In junior B leagues like the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League and Capital Region Junior Hockey League, as well as Manitoba’s only junior C league, the Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League, full face protection is already required.