News
Souray is the last NHLer wearing HT2 helmet
When (or if) Sheldon Souray of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks returns to the NHL after he recovers from wrist surgery, it may be the last time we see a CCM HT2-style helmet worn in the National Hockey League.
It's been over 40 years since the Pro Standard was introduced in the NHL and then made famous by Paul Henderson in the 1972 Summit Series and as a Maple Leaf.
After 1979, when Helmets were made mandatory in the NHL, the CCM Pro Standard III (HT1) was the most popular choice among players throughout the 1980s until it was replaced by the HT2 in the 1990s when it was worn by the majority of NHL players.
Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman started and ended their careers wearing this 'Canadian' helmet. It looks like the sun is setting for this iconic symbol of the North American player.
Thanks for posting this.
The folks at Reebok were putting together a bit of a museum at their headquarters in Montreal. I wonder if they have an HT-2.
I must say I continue to be amazed that the company that produced this country's only truly Canadian automobile (the Russell), designed and produced much of the equipment for our national sport and for countless years was the country's major producer of bicycles hasn't received more attention from scholars and collectors alike than it has. Thanks to dwheeler67 and everyone on here for doing their part to help change that.
John
Don't forget that Shawn Thornton and Michael Handzus are still carrying the torch as well. Though he just retired, Ryan Smyth was still active at the time this was posted as well. With Souray's future uncertain and Handzus not on an active roster at the moment, it looks like Thornton might be the lone throwback.
The writing has been on the wall for the handful of HT2 enthusiasts still in the League since well before high profile stalwarts Tkchuck, Guerin, Chelios, and Modano retired. As a fellow enthusiast, I will be sad to see it go as I've never known the game without it.