Visor-less Players in the NHL
In the world of professional hockey, only four active players continue to compete in the NHL without a visor on their helmets, a stipulation that has been in place since the 2013-14 season. Back then, the league instituted a mandatory visor rule, which required all players who appeared in fewer than 25 NHL games prior to the rule’s implementation to wear a visor properly affixed to their helmets. According to The Hockey News, of the eight players previously known to have played without visors, half have either retired or opted not to play in the NHL during the current season of 2024-25.
Among the 101 players active in the league today who played before the introduction of this regulation, 83 reached the threshold of 25 games. High-profile players such as Alex Ovechkin, Corey Perry, Brent Burns, Anze Kopitar, and Shea Weber, who is currently sidelined due to injury, all wear visors. With that context in mind, we can now explore the four remaining visor-less players, whose impressive careers have seen them surpass the threshold set by the league.
Profiles of the Remaining Visor-less Players
Ryan O’Reilly, Forward, Nashville Predators
A veteran at 34 years old, O’Reilly has made a significant impact in his career with 265 NHL regular-season appearances prior to the visor mandate, amassing 127 points. Currently serving as an alternate captain for the Nashville Predators, he is under contract for two more years, bringing a $4.5 million cap hit while contributing effectively on the ice. In the recent 2024-25 season, he logged 53 points, confirming his reputation with a solid 55.7 faceoff win percentage, making him one of the most efficient faceoff players in the league.
Jamie Benn, Forward, Dallas Stars
Benn has held the captaincy for the Dallas Stars for the entirety of the visor rule’s existence. With a commendable record of 82 goals and 111 assists before it took effect, his contributions to the team have only continued to grow. Recently signed for a year with a cap hit of $1 million—plus performance-related bonuses—Benn enjoyed a productive season with 49 points in 80 games, putting him on the brink of career milestones, including 1,200 games played and 400 career goals.
Zach Bogosian, Defenseman, Minnesota Wild
Bogosian is yet another player who thrived before the visor rule kicked in, having scored 103 points in 297 games. The 35-year-old defenseman tied his career high this past season playing all 81 games, contributing significantly to the Minnesota Wild with four goals and 12 assists. Currently in the final year of a two-season contract, Bogosian averages almost 16 minutes of ice time per game, showcasing his reliability as a solid defensive option on the roster.
Ryan Reaves, Forward, San Jose Sharks
At 38 years old, Reaves is renowned for his tough playing style, having accumulated the most major penalties of any active NHL player, including a total of 93. Before the visor mandate, he scored just 14 points in 131 games. After a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks, reaffirming his role as a fighter and enforcer in the league while being under contract for one more season.
Former Visor-less Players
Once the final eight players without visors in the 2022-23 season, Jordie Benn, Zack Kassian, Milan Lucic, and Matt Martin have since left the league. Benn transitioned into a coaching role with the Stars, while Martin retired boasting remarkable stats including nearly 4,000 hits. Lucic’s career saw a controversial end with his arrest for a domestic incident, although he has since expressed healing in his personal life. Kassian retired from the NHL but has continued playing overseas, engaging with scouting for the Edmonton Oilers in recent times.
These four players are keeping the tradition alive, competing without visors in an era where the trend continues to shift towards more protective gear. As the league evolves, one can’t help but wonder how long these veterans will retain their unique distinction among NHL players.
