The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
I'm now a firm believer that it's a terrible idea to remove ear guards. Last night during a stick n puck, I was near the net about to clear pucks out of the net and some bender wasn't paying attention and blasts a shot and hits me SQUARE in the ear guard. It hit me so hard and square I almost thought someone swung a stick at my head. It hit only the ear guard, nothing else, I have no doubt in my mind if I didn't have it there I would have at least a serious concussion, and most likely a fractured skull.
It rattled my cage and nearly took me down, but totally fine a few moments later, thank goodness for helmets and ear guards. I don't care how un-cool it is or whatever reason people remove them, I'll NEVER remove mine after last night.
Playing any type of minor hockey requires them to be unmodified and left alone. I would think most beer leagues are the same, but I don't imagine a lot of them enforce it. Removing it also voids any warranty.
The only time I find them uncomfortable is when I first put my helmet on and they kinda catch my ears.
But seriously, there is absolutely no good reason to take them off. Hockey players have been getting their ears severed for generations (Eddie Shore had one sewn on without anesthesia, and requested a mirror "to make sure it gets done right"!) and it's just pure common sense to have them.
agreed and I'm sure Scott Stevens feels the same way.
I have a couple of pro stock helmets that have them removed. I wore one of them in a beer league game to see how comfortable the helmet was and was nervous the whole time. I've since bought covers to replace them.
I know a lot of people think that they can hear better without the covers but the 2 best players in the world, Crosby and Malkin keep there covers on so that's good enough for me.
No reason to remove them for me. Some ear guards are better than others...I have had helmets where they rub against the ears or really mess up your hearing.
I take mine out. I hate them. I wear a full cage and would never step on the ice without it, but cant stand the feel of the ear pieces. Might as well have a football helmet on for me with them. They rub my ears and are hot.
I certainly see the benefit, but you gotta figure its a dangerous game and things might happen and where do you draw the line.
Do you wear a neck guard too, after all, there is no good reason not to and that could be a life saving piece of equipment rather than just a cut or concussion.
How can you justify ear pieces and no cage? Much more likely to be hit in the face than in the ear.
We all make our choices for various reasons, so no one can/should say "there's no good reason."
I'm now a firm believer that it's a terrible idea to remove ear guards. Last night during a stick n puck, I was near the net about to clear pucks out of the net and some bender wasn't paying attention and blasts a shot and hits me SQUARE in the ear guard. It hit me so hard and square I almost thought someone swung a stick at my head. It hit only the ear guard, nothing else, I have no doubt in my mind if I didn't have it there I would have at least a serious concussion, and most likely a fractured skull.
It rattled my cage and nearly took me down, but totally fine a few moments later, thank goodness for helmets and ear guards. I don't care how un-cool it is or whatever reason people remove them, I'll NEVER remove mine after last night.
Anyone else a firm believer?
this is why i dont dig pucks out of the net
in all seriousness, i take mine out cause they chaffed my ears. its a personal choice and i havent had and adverse effects yet. same reason i dont wear a cage, its uncomfortable and rubs my chin raw.
i just bought a new helmet this fall and it is the first one where i could not remove the ear protector and it bothered me the first couple of games and then my line mate took a puck in his ear guard and he suffered a broken ear drum. It would have been much worse without the protectors so my ear protectors do not bother me much now
I've personally never noticed them as being a problem. And in my league they will kick you out if you're not wearing them on your helmet, as they're pretty stringent with their insurance policy.
I take mine out. I hate them. I wear a full cage and would never step on the ice without it, but cant stand the feel of the ear pieces. Might as well have a football helmet on for me with them. They rub my ears and are hot.
I certainly see the benefit, but you gotta figure its a dangerous game and things might happen and where do you draw the line.
Do you wear a neck guard too, after all, there is no good reason not to and that could be a life saving piece of equipment rather than just a cut or concussion.
How can you justify ear pieces and no cage? Much more likely to be hit in the face than in the ear.
We all make our choices for various reasons, so no one can/should say "there's no good reason."
HUH? who said I don't wear a cage? I do wear a cage. Not sure where you read that at. You need to get a different helmet, or a bigger one. I can't feel my ear guards at all.
And no i don't wear a neck guard, because clearly the odds of a puck hitting you is far greater then the odds of skates cutting your neck. Sometimes common sense isn't so common I guess.
HUH? who said I don't wear a cage? I do wear a cage. Not sure where you read that at. You need to get a different helmet, or a bigger one. I can't feel my ear guards at all.
And no i don't wear a neck guard, because clearly the odds of a puck hitting you is far greater then the odds of skates cutting your neck. Sometimes common sense isn't so common I guess.
I can think of twice in the NHL that players have had their necks cut. Can't think of a single player getting hit in the ear with a puck. Maybe it's not as much 'common sense' as you seem to think it is.
If you're playing right, you shouldnt ever have to worry about getting hit in the ear with a puck, since you should always be facing the play anyway. There's a reason the only NHLers that wear them are mega star players that are more than likely paid extra by their respective sponsor to do so.
I can think of twice in the NHL that players have had their necks cut. Can't think of a single player getting hit in the ear with a puck. Maybe it's not as much 'common sense' as you seem to think it is.
If you're playing right, you shouldnt ever have to worry about getting hit in the ear with a puck, since you should always be facing the play anyway. There's a reason the only NHLers that wear them are mega star players that are more than likely paid extra by their respective sponsor to do so.
Scott Stevens taking a Kubina slapshot to the ear...
) but I leave them on anyway.
