Advertisement

Jamie Benn and Three Other Players Are Part of a Dying Breed in the NHL

There is a small group of NHLers that are close to becoming a forgotten era of the league, and Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is one of the last four remaining.

In 2013, the NHL implemented a rule that anyone with 25 or fewer games played in the league was now required to wear a visor, as well as anyone joining the league after the rule change.

Since then, the numbers of visor-less players have been dwindling, but at an exceptionally rapid pace in the last few years. With the retirement of more and more players from that era each season, only a few veteran players remain.

Currently, the four remaining players are Benn, Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Zach Bogosian of the Minnesota Wild.

It has been thought for several years that either Benn or O'Reilly would be the final player in the NHL without a visor, depending on who played longer at the end of their careers. Both players had a standout campaign last season, and don't seem to be near retirement quite yet.

Jamie's brother Jordie Benn also chose not to wear a visor, but did not play in the NHL last season and officially retired this off-season.

Last season, when Maple Leafs forward Reaves suffered an eye injury while fighting Flyers tough guy Nick Deslauries, the NHL informed him that if he were to put a visor on even temporarily, he would be forced to wear it for the remainder of his career.

The visor was invented by Kenneth William Clay after losing vision to his left eye due to high-stick. After a month of recovery in a Vancouver hospital, Clay created the first clear face shield all the way back in 1965.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Three Takeaways from Stars Win Over Edmonton

Two Key Pieces Loaned to Texas Stars, Dumba Retroactively Placed on Injure Reserve

Deep And Balanced Stars Beat Oilers Saturday, Showing Their Gutsy Resilience After A Defeat

Stars' Unbeaten Streak Ends, But There's Still Lots To Like -- Including Up-And-Coming Youngster Johnston