<P> In August 1979 , then President of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) , John Ziegler , announced that protective helmets would become mandatory for incoming players in the NHL . `` The introduction of the helmet rule will be an additional safety factor , '' he said . The rule allowed players who signed professional contracts prior to June 1 , 1979 to continue to not wear a helmet provided a liability waiver was signed , if they so desired . The last player to play without a helmet was Craig MacTavish , who played his final game during the 1996 -- 97 season for the St. Louis Blues . </P>
<P> In August 1979 , then President of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) , John Ziegler , announced that protective helmets would become mandatory for incoming players in the NHL . `` The introduction of the helmet rule will be an additional safety factor , '' he said . The rule allowed players who signed professional contracts prior to June 1 , 1979 to continue to not wear a helmet provided a liability waiver was signed , if they so desired . The last player to play without a helmet was Craig MacTavish , who played his final game during the 1996 -- 97 season for the St. Louis Blues . </P>
when did helmets become mandatory in the nhl
when did helmets become mandatory in the nhl
August 1979
August 1979