When Chris Pronger returns to the Flyers lineup in November, he will be wearing a visor for the first time in his 18-year career.
The ruling is not general manager Paul Holmgrens.
Stephen Goldman, the team ophthalmologist, told Pronger he would not give him medical clearance to play again without wearing the visor.
That settled things.
Prongers injury could have been much worse than merely a cut, blurred vision and swelling. He will miss at least two weeks (six or seven games) because of the injury (see story).
On Tuesday afternoon, Holmgren said, "Chris Pronger was seen by Dr. Stephen Goldman today and is progressing very well."
Jody Shelley, Matt Walker, Andreas Lilja, Wayne Simmonds and Max Talbot all play without visors.
NHL
Certainly I think they save a lot of injuries and possible eye injuries, coach Peter Laviolette said. Some guys have been in the league a long time and I dont think you are going to get a lot of them to change. Young players all coming in have them. They are there for a reason.
Talbot and Simmonds are both young players who wore visors in junior. Talbot felt the way he played dictated not to wear one.
No problem, but sticks can get under a visor just as well, he said. Accidents happen. Its the risk of our business.
Lilja tried several times, even in Detroit.
I want to wear one, but I cant see well, Lilja said. Theres something with that little edge on the visor that makes it difficult for me. Every year I try for a couple of weeks, but I cant get over it.
Walker said even though a player has a visor there is no guarantee a stick cant get under it.
Its a personal thing, a safety thing, but its got to be our choice, Walker said. I dont think its something that should be mandatory.
Laviolette never wore a visor on a full-time basis when he played defense in the NHL with the Rangers. He said he wore a visor a couple of times after breaking his nose and incurring his own eye injury, but eventually disbanded with it.
Only to cover the injury, he said.
Would Laviolette wear one today?
Ahh, probably not, he replied. I havent thought about it.
Laviolette also said he wouldnt attempt to mandate that every Flyer wear a visor on his team. Its an individual choice, he said.
I cant speak for Paul, Laviolette said. Andreas Lilja has played a lot of years in the league and a lot of games. I think there is a choice there.
Theres a choice because there is no rule in place. And youve got to respect it. If a player wants not to wear it, then hes not going to wear it.
Both of Laviolettes son plays hockey.
When people are older, they make decisions on their own, he said. I got two boys playing youth hockey. Im glad their faces are covered. I think its different.
The problem with players like Pronger, who have played years without wearing a visor, is one of adjustment. Some players say they dont see the puck quite as well at their feet or their peripheral vision is slightly distorted.
Laviolette said he would not give his sons the same choice he would give his players on the Flyers.
Theyre not in the National Hockey League, he explained.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net