Helmets in hockey have only been around since the early 60's. Some players even till the early 90's still played without a helmet. It is even more odd to think that goalies didn't wear masks until 1940. The first was by a goalie named Jacque Plante. The Montreal Canadians goaltender was the first ever to wear a mask during the 1941-1942 season. I couldn't imagine what type of hockey player would take so much abuse. Pucks flying over 85 MPH and all you have is your own flesh to stop the puck. Goalies back then were nuts. They would play games with broken noses, broken teeth, and sometimes a shut eye. They were tougher then ever and that is a true hockey player.
Helmets are now essential and required at every level of play. It protects them from hits, from glass, and even tipped pucks from other players. The technology is much more advanced that it was. The different materials and designs can save players from concussions. The question many NHL players are facing now, is wearing a shield or a visor to protect their eyes. You see more and more players with pucks and sticks to the face. Why? Are players to careless of were their stick is? I think NHL players should wear a full cage. There is no reason for anyone to put there face in danger of anything. Too many players are getting hurt, some loosing the vision in an eye. Changes need to be made, as the game gets faster and players bigger and stronger, the protection required changes.