To the surprise of many, I am not a professional men’s hockey player. As such, I’ve only ever played with a full cage on my helmet. Even when I’m just on the ice with friends, I’ve never had the desire to play without my face fully covered. Maybe because as a woman, I’ve been conditioned to care about my physical appearance more; or maybe it’s because I just don’t notice the cage anymore since it’s all I’ve ever known. Certainly, however, in this moment, it’s because I love Charlie McAvoy.
If you don’t follow the Boston Bruins, you may be unfamiliar with the extent of McAvoy’s injury streak, so allow me to recap:
Note: Some of the articles linked herein include pictures and video of the incidents they discuss, some of which are graphic. Please view at your own discretion.
November 15, 2025:
Charlie McAvoy, defenseman and alternate captain for the Boston Bruins, took his first puck to the face during an away game in Montreal. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, who stood about six feet from McAvoy when the hit occurred, reported he was able to hear the puck make contact with McAvoy’s jaw. Noah Dobson of the Montreal Canadiens shot the puck towards the Bruins goal, and the puck bounced off Bruins forward Mark Kastelic before connecting with McAvoy. The puck’s speed was not reported after the incident, but with Dobson capable of shooting the puck at speeds up to 93.5 MPH, it’s safe to say the shot likely packed a punch.
After the hit, McAvoy fell back and rolled to his stomach as blood pooled onto the ice. Swayman and other teammates immediately came to check on him while Bruins Head Athletic Trainer Dustin Stuck rushed out from the bench. McAvoy’s D-partner, Nikita Zadorov, was even seen searching for McAvoy’s lost teeth. Charlie left the ice with a towel over his face and did not return to the game.
McAvoy lost four teeth and suffered a linear jaw fracture, which required surgery, from the hit. His doctors told him he could not eat solid food for six weeks following his surgery, which resulted in him losing 20 pounds in the first week and a half.
Chucky, as his teammates call him, eventually returned to practice in a red non-contact jersey on December 5th. Notably, and understandably, his helmet featured a clear face shield, or “bubble”… And it wasn’t just a callback to his time at Boston University.
McAvoy recently was interviewed on the Empty Netters podcast, where he shared that when working with the Bruins team doctor on his recovery timeline, they decided his full shield could come off February 17th. When that day came, McAvoy was competing for Team U.S.A. at the Winter Olympic games in Milano Cortina.
February 4th, 2026
It was not all smooth sailing until Charlie lost the bubble, though. Before McAvoy left for Italy, he took an elbow to the head in the Bruins’ February 6 contest versus the Florida Panthers. The hit from Florida rookie Sandis Vilmanis was “high and late,” meaning it was aimed up towards McAvoy’s head and after he no longer had the puck.
The puck-to-the-face from Dobson was an unfortunate accident. This hit, however, felt more targeted. As McAvoy skated out of Boston’s zone, Vilmanis came across the ice, slowed down, turned to brace himself, then lifted his body up to hit McAvoy in the side of his face. Vilmanis was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for the hit. Fellow Bruins defenseman Jonathan Aspirot retaliated against Vilmanis afterwards, and he was assessed his own two-minute minor. Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm was vocal about his disagreement with resulting punishment, stating he didn’t believe the resulting 4-on-4 play was adequate punishment for Vilmanis. After the incident, McAvoy tweeted a picture of his swollen face next to a video of the hit, seemingly seconding Sturm’s sentiment.
March 4th, 2026
Once February 17th came, McAvoy was done with the full-face shield. One of the reasons he gave was that the Milan Olympic rink was warmer than an NHL rink on the ice level, so his bubble was fogging up. When McAvoy came back to the NHL, he stuck with the standard visor he played with when he took that first puck to the face. One month to the day after the Florida game, Chucky unfortunately took another deflected puck off the face in a game versus the Nashville Predators. This time, the puck hit the right side of his face, unlike the other two incidents.
McAvoy went down clutching his face and was met on the ice by the Bruins training staff. He skated off and tended to his injuries on the bench. When asked about it afterwards, Charlie said it was “unbelievable man, I actually couldn’t believe it” and again reiterated that it was “on the other side, like the only spot I have teeth left.” Fortunately, all his teeth remained intact, and the only blood we saw came from a cut to his chin… This time…
March 10th, 2026
Now, in the most recent incident, all 6-foot-6, 225-pounds of Samuel Helenius came crashing into McAvoy during the second period of a Bruins vs Kings game, resulting in McAvoy losing even more teeth. Poor Chucky left the ice for the remainder of the period, and left all 6-foot-7 255-pounds of Nikita Zadorov to collect on Helenius’ crimes. Against all odds, Charlie came back for the third period and even scored the game-winning overtime goal. “I thought he wouldn’t come back,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm said. “He’s not getting prettier, that’s for sure.”
After the game, Charlie said he had time for two questions and requested they were good ones, because he had more dental work to get done. Since then, McAvoy played 24:26 and 27:44 minutes in the Bruins two most recent games. The Bruins won their most recent game in a 3-2 shootout versus the Washington Capitals, with McAvoy scoring both of the B’s regulation goals.
Now what?
So, how did we get here? Sure, McAvoy has taken a few dirty hits. But he’s also been on the receiving end of a lot of rough but legal contact. Charlie is a seasoned NHL veteran; he knows how to play in a manner that will keep himself safe. Yes, it’s an unlucky streak, and we’re not seeing a rise in facial injuries across the NHL. However, at what point must something be done? Should someone with repeated mouth injuries like Charlie just opt to wear a bubble full-time? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Section 3 of the official NHL Rules discusses equipment, with Rule 9 discussing uniforms, and Rules 9.6-9.8 discussing helmets. The most recent update to this section of the rules came about in the 2013-2014 season, which required all players entering the league starting that season to wear a visor on their helmet. Existing players who had already played at least 25 NHL games were given the option to wear a visor or not. Today, only four players play without one. Interestingly, this rule was widely adopted by players before its codification. In February 2013, only 27% of NHL players went without an optional visor. Despite the successful implementation of this rule, it would not be so easy to make a new rule requiring full-face coverings.
NHL Rule 9.8 prohibits “dangerous equipment,” and says that “[a] mask or protector of a design approved by the League may be worn by a player who has sustained a facial injury.” Meaning, only injured players can play with a mask, and players can’t opt into wearing one of their own volition. Many players say they don’t like wearing a mask because it hinders their ability to see the ice and the puck right below them. Some experts are also hesitant to allow full face coverings because of something called the gladiator effect.
The gladiator effect is the idea that when wearing more protection, a player feels more invincible, and is thus more likely to put himself in dangerous situations. This would be especially problematic at the NHL level if some players were wearing full face coverings and others weren’t.
Chase Priskie, former Quinnipiac player turned NHL prospect, agreed that players are more careful when only wearing a visor. “You definitely see less erratic stick play when you’re wearing the visor. Guys are more under control and there aren’t as many high hits or high-sticks like there are in college hockey because in college hockey, when someone high-sticks someone they get it in the face mask and it’s no big deal. But in pro hockey when you draw blood it’s a four-minute penalty.”
Kevan Miller, former NCAA player and retired Boston Bruin concurred. “I believe the gladiator effect is definitely a real thing,” Miller said. “Wearing a cage makes you feel more protected than a visor, consequently, players put their head and face in positions they would otherwise avoid. This is true when giving and receiving hits, blocking shots, and in scrums after the whistle.”
If only some players had full coverings, would they unknowingly put other players at risk, not realizing others don’t feel as invincible as they do? Additionally, metal cages, as opposed to clear bubbles, have the potential to actually cut a player who isn’t wearing one. Once understanding these insights, it makes sense why NHL players can’t simply choose to wear a full shield.
Looking to the future, physicality in the game is definitely going to change. Both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada are working together to help coaches at non-checking levels teach their players both proper methods of body contact and how to protect themselves from contact. As these young players start entering the league, maybe they will bring an era of safer physicality where opting into cages is a possibility. Until then, what other equipment options exist for player to protect themselves?
Many look to chew toys, or as they’re known outside of pro hockey, mouth guards. The NHL does not mandate players wear mouth guards, yet they’re still worn by 90% of players. They’re not infallible though. As Charlie McAvoy could tell you, a mouth guard won’t protect bottom teeth as well as it will top teeth. We’ve seen new safety rules be implemented by enforcing them on new players and allowing current players to be grandfathered in. Could mouth guards be next?
After the tragic death of Adam Johnson, there’s been a new discussion about requiring neck guards for all hockey players. Recently, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) required neck guards be worn by all players at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Per the most recent CBA, players entering the league during the 2026-2027 season will be required to wear neck guards, with current players being grandfathered in.
Hockey players are known for being superstitious and creatures of habit. They’re also known for valuing the opportunity to represent their countries at the international level above all else. Thus, it makes sense why we saw every player wearing a neck guard at the Olympics, despite very few, if any, of them wearing guards in NHL games: They’ll happily wear a neck guard if that’s what it takes to play on the international stage. Could the IIHF use this same model to introduce full-face coverings?
To answer that question, let’s first look at why they’re not worn in the NHL. First, players claim they can’t see the puck as well. If all players wore a full-face covering, would that still be as big a deal on an even playing field?
The larger issue, though, is safety. As previously established, players with a full shield might feel “invincible” and accidentally put other players in danger. That would be less of a concern if all players had the same covering, like in the NCAA. Additionally, international hockey is less dangerous than NHL hockey for a few reasons. First, there’s minimal fighting, as players who do fight are automatically ejected from the game. Additionally, checks to the head can be assessed major penalties or game misconducts in international play, unlike the NHL where they are only assessed minor penalties (per NHL rule 48). Play also stops under IIHF rules if an attacking player enters the goal crease, which leads to less “chippiness” between skaters if a goaltender gets knocked by the opposing team during play. IIHF rules also differ regarding icing in an attempt to limit instances of players skating full speed down the ice and into the boards.
With all that being said, since IIHF rules make for a less physical game, would they be open to implementing a new rule requiring cages or bubbles some day? It’s unlikely full-face coverings will make their way into the NHL CBA any time soon. However, there’s no players’ organization in IIHF hockey, so there’s less give-and-take when it comes to making new rules.
As trends change and equipment technology advances, it’s hard to say what the future of the sport looks like. For now, hopefully Charlie McAvoy’s unlucky streak will come to an end and inspire players to, at the very least, keep their mouth guards in their mouths.
Mary Starr is a 3L at the University at Buffalo School of Law with a concentration is sports law. In law school, she has served as the president of Phi Alpha Delta, event coordinator for OutLaw, event coordinator for the Jewish Law Students Association, a senior associate on the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, a Student Director with the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, and she is a student ambassador. Outside of school, Mary can be found playing hockey, rock climbing, or explaining how she ended up being raised a Bruins fan (despite being raised in Rochester, NY!).
Leave a Reply