In the modern era of the NHL, visorless players have become a rarity.
Once a symbol of toughness and grit, the league has shifted towards player safety. As a result, the number of visorless players has steadily decreased. So, which NHL players don’t wear a visor?
In this article, we’ll explore all the remaining NHL visorless players in 2024-25, including NHL fan favorite Ryan Reaves and veteran Jamie Benn.
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn, the Dallas Stars’ captain, stands out as arguably the most skilled visorless player. His combination of skill, physicality, and leadership has made him one of the league’s top power forwards. As the face of the Stars’ franchise, Benn’s choice to play without a visor reflects both his toughness and old-school mentality.
In the 2023-24 season, Benn continued to make his mark with the Stars. He played in all 82 games, recording 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points, with a plus-minus rating of +8. His physical presence and leadership remain crucial to Dallas’ success. Despite playing without a visor, Benn consistently delivers big hits and timely goals, making him one of the most respected power forwards in the league.
Zach Bogosian, Minnesota Wild
Zach Bogosian has built his career as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman, known for his physical play and shot-blocking abilities. Now with the Minnesota Wild, Bogosian continues the tradition of visorless defensemen. His hard-nosed approach to the game represents a style that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s NHL.
Matt Martin, New York Islanders
Matt Martin, a winger for the New York Islanders, is primarily known for his physical presence on the ice. He’s earned a reputation for big hits and willingness to drop the gloves. His visorless appearance matches the traditional image of an NHL tough guy. His commitment to protecting teammates and bringing energy has made him a favorite among Islanders fans.
Many thought Martin wouldn’t be playing in the NHL during the 2024-25 NHL season after he entered training camp without a contract. However, the enforcer inked a one-way deal worth league minimum with the Isles a few weeks into the new campaign.
Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators
Ryan O’Reilly, who plays center for the Nashville Predators, brings a unique mix of skill and grit. He’s well-known for his strong two-way game and faceoff skills. O’Reilly has continued to excel on the ice while remaining one of the few visorless players in the NHL. His focused approach and calm demeanor make him a standout player, even without the added protection of a visor.
Currently, O’Reilly is coming off a strong 2023-24 debut season with the Predators. He played the full 82 games, tallying 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points, while maintaining a plus-minus rating of +6. His faceoff win percentage continues to rank among the league’s best, and his leadership, both on and off the ice, has proven vital to the Preds’ success.
Ryan Reaves, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs is perhaps the most recognizable visorless player in today’s NHL. He’s earned his reputation as one of the league’s toughest enforcers. His style includes delivering crushing hits and dominating opponents in fights. His visorless appearance perfectly matches his role as a modern-day tough guy. While the league increasingly focuses on player safety, Reaves serves as a reminder of hockey’s physical roots.
In the 2024-25 season, Reaves maintains his physical presence in the Maple Leafs’ lineup. Through eight games, he has contributed 24 hits and two blocked shots, along with 38 penalty minutes. Despite failing to register on the scoresheet so far and averaging just 7:57 of ice time per game, his intimidating presence makes him valuable. He continues to protect his teammates and deliver big hits, remaining both a fan favorite and a symbol of old-school hockey.
Players Who Recently Adopted Visors
| Player | Age | Current Team |
|---|---|---|
| Casey Cizikas | 32 | New York Islanders |
| Sidney Crosby | 36 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Mark Giordano | 40 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Eric Gudbranson | 32 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Patrick Maroon | 35 | Minnesota Wild |
| Jordan Staal | 33 | Carolina Hurricanes |
| Marc Staal | 36 | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Ryan Suter | 38 | Dallas Stars |
| Blake Wheeler | 37 | New York Rangers |
Recently Retired Visorless Players
Several notable players who played without visors have recently stepped away from the NHL, further reducing the number of visorless players:
- Jordie Benn (playing in Sweden)
- Brian Boyle (retired at 38)
- Ryan Getzlaf (retired at 36)
- Zdeno Chara (retired at 45)
- Zack Kassian (retired at 32)
- Joe Thornton (retired at 44)
Verdict on NHL Visorless Players
As the NHL emphasizes player safety, visorless players like Ryan Reaves, Jamie Benn, Zach Bogosian, Matt Martin and Ryan O’Reilly represent the last of their kind. Only these five remain in the 2024-25 season.
The league has undoubtedly evolved, yet these players remind us of hockey’s traditional toughness and intensity. Their choice to play without visors is protected by NHL rules since they entered the league before visors became mandatory in 2013-14.
As visorless players become increasingly rare, their legacy will endure in hockey history. Within the next few years, we may witness the final NHL player to compete without a visor, marking the end of an era in professional hockey.
