Something From My Past: A CCM Hockey Helmet

 
If you've seen hockey clips from the 70s, 80s and 90s, you probably recognize this helmet design. This is the CCM model I wore in a 1989-90 senior hockey league that only required a half visor to protect my eyes. I also wore a mouth guard so I wouldn't look like Philadelphia Flyers legend Bobby Clarke someday.

After I switched leagues to one that required full facial protection, I still used this helmet in our unofficial practices and when I played roller hockey. 

In case you're wondering how I've had three known concussions plus countless times when I've had my bell rung, well here's your answer. State of the art helmet padding back in the day was a joke, and the plastic outer shells are flimsy enough to... well, let me show you what happens when you take a few shots to the head and/or the visor.

If you take a closer look to the right of that screw, there's a crack that goes down and comes just short of the lipped edge. That likely happened after the visor absorbed someone's accidental or deliberate forearm shiver.

On the left side of the helmet, there's a more pronounced crack that extends right to the edge. I shudder to think that for half a decade I was one good head shot away from suffering a catastrophic facial injury from the visor slamming into my nose or mouth after breaking off. 

Thankfully, helmet technology has come a long way... as long as you can afford CCM's $449 Super Tacks X model. I'm not so sure the less expensive models offer any more protection than this relic, which is on display on my bookshelf. 

God, I feel so old. The Muse was six years old when I bought the helmet and visor brand new!