MJHL shield rule gets facelift By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 4:08 PM CDT Wednesday, May. 31, 2023

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This article was published 30/05/2023 (330 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Full-face protection will be the rule in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 2023-24 in a move almost certain to cause some controversy.

The requirement covers only players 18 years old and younger, with 19- and 20-year-olds allowed to continue with the half-shield visors, and will be expanded to include players 19 and under in 2024-25. All players will be covered by the third year of the phased-in plan, which has been mandated by Hockey Canada.

“There’s gonna be some pushback and that’s just natural, but I think the biggest thing is without question it’ll provide a safer environment, especially as it relates to facial injuries and dental injuries,” said MJHL commissioner Kevin Saurette.

“I think the biggest thing is will it bring about potential other concerns about reckless play with having players all wearing full facial protection? Will players be more reckless with their sticks, with how they hit, with hitting high and potentially leading to head injuries and concussions? That remains to be seen.”

All of the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s nine member leagues are required to implement the rule although the Ontario Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League already require all of their players to wear either a full face shield or cage.

Waywayseecappo forward Ben Roulette isn’t crazy about the change after wearing a half shield during his rookie season with the Wolverines.

“We talked about it last year and everyone was saying how (the league was) thinking about switching,” said Roulette, a Rivers product who will turn 18 on Aug. 12. “I think for the most part, most guys were pretty upset they’re probably gonna have to wear a bubble. It’s the same for me, too. I’d rather wear a half visor and I think probably most players across most junior leagues will probably be pretty upset.”

Roulette, who wore a cage during his U15 and U18 career with the Yellowhead Chiefs, prefers the full shield or bubble protection over a cage. Fellow 18-year-old returnees Kurt Rookes of Manson and Aiden Sotas of Birtle will also state their preference when they arrive at Wayway’s training camp.

Roulette said he prefers the look and comfort of the half shield.

“I’d definitely pick the half shield just because I guess watching the NHL and obviously with the junior guys growing up, but I’ve kind of always wanted to wear that half shield,” said Roulette, who wore a bubble while playing for Team Manitoba at last month’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg. “I kind of liked it way more when I wore it this year.”

Wolverines GM and head coach Taylor Harnett supports the change.

“Most of these players come to us are wearing them anyway, right?” said Harnett. “And a lot of our players go on to play (U.S.) college hockey and they’ve gotta wear them there so I don’t see it being an issue. I’ve always been a strong believer that if we can make the game safer, we need to support it.”

“I don’t see it being an issue. I’ve always been a strong believer that if we can make the game safer, we need to support it.”–Wolverines head coach Taylor Harnett

Making certain the game is actually safer will be a priority for Saurette.

“We’re going to monitor it,” he said. “We’re going to take steps to educate the players before upcoming season on the type of hits that shouldn’t be allowed in the game and address the fact there will be players wearing full facial protection and players without. So, it’s something we’re going to work through as a league internally.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14