Why does Bedard wear a full face mask

Connor Bedard stands out on the ice wearing a full face mask while most NHL players sport half visors. Why does Bedard wear a full face mask? The answer combines mandatory youth hockey rules with a serious injury he suffered early in his profesional career. His choice challenges what fans think about equipment and performance at the highest level of hockey.

League rules, and a broken jaw shaped his choice

Bedard wore a full face shield during international play because IIHF rules require all players under 18 to wear complete facial protection. At the 2023 World Junior Championship, Bedard was just 17 and had to follow these safety regulations. The rules exist to protect younger players from serious facial injuries, which makes sense when you think about it.

Early in his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Bedard suffered a broken jaw. This injury convinced him to keep wearing full face protection even after leaving junior hockey. The extra protection gives him peace of mind while his jaw healed and continues to this day (honestly, it's hard to blame him for that decision).

Standing out while maintaining elite performance

Skeptics claim full shields limit a player's vision and scoring ability. Bedard proves them wrong. He averages 1.38 points per game despite wearing one, ranking among the league's elite rookies. His numbers show that full protection doesn't automatically hurt performance.

Most NHL players still prefer half visors for better visibility and less fogging during fast paced games. But Bedard's success is sparking conversations about whether full face shields deserve more acceptance at the professional level. His choice demonstrates that some players value safety over the traditional equipment approach.

The hockey world is shifting toward better protection. The PWHL mandates full visors for all players, reflecting broader safety trends. Bedard's equipment choice aligns with where professional hockey appears to be heading, even if most current NHL players haven't caught up yet.

Bedard's full face mask tells a practical story about hockey today. Youth safety rules shaped his early career, and a broken jaw reinforced his decision to keep wearing one. His elite level scoring proves that protection and performance aren't enemies. As hockey continues evolving, players like Bedard show that facial protection can be part of winning at the highest level.