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As someone who started playing before any kind of facemasks were manditory at all and having advanced through all the different mandatory facemask rules,(they became mandatory when I was 12) I think that after age 10 facemasks should go away. Back in the day people took care of their sticks and you didn't see all the sticks to the face like you do now. All the stick injuries started after facemasks became mandatory in college. Players let their sticks get up with no consequences and that continued on after college into the pros and even the beer leagues. I tried a visor for about 6 months once and got hit in the face more than I ever had. I stopped wearing a helmet all together about 10 years ago and haven't had a stitch since. People are more careful around me and don't want to hit me in the head. I don't advise the no helmet idea for someone new who can't skate really well, but it works for me. Most everyone I play with has played for 20 years plus and we all keep our sticks and shots down. I know most of you have grown up wearing helmets and facemasks, but ask an old guy and see what kind of answers you get?
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