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Renaud Lavoie clears up the truth behind the NHL's rookie lap sanctions
Photo credit: Montreal Hockey Fanatics / NHL
TVA Sports journalist, Renaud Lavoie, has denied a belief that has persisted for a few months in the National Hockey League.
Last season, when players were playing their first career game and doing their famous "rookie lap" without a helmet, as was the case for young Adam Engstrom last night against the Utah Mammoth.
Many journalists were reporting that these young players were being targeted with fines and sanctions from Gary Bettman and the NHL, under the new rule stating that new players must now always, at all times and without exception, wear their protective helmet on the ice.
That said, it seems that this year, the NHL has finally made a small exception and shown some common sense when it comes to this little rookie-lap tradition.
Renaud Lavoie clarifies the situation regarding helmet-less rookie laps, like those recently done by Adam Engstrom and Florian Xhekaj
Lavoie, on the JiC show broadcast on TVA Sports, mentioned that it was certain Florian Xhekaj would take the ice without a helmet against the Mammoth, and that Adam Engstrom would do the same in his NHL debut last night.
However, here is an excerpt from his report explaining the situation:
"The National Hockey League (NHL) does indeed impose financial penalties on skaters who fail to wear the piece of equipment during pre-game warmups on the ice.
However, it shows leniency in specific circumstances, such as when a rookie is about to make his debut in the league.
The NHL says it's a tradition, and we respect it."
- Renaud Lavoie
However, it shows leniency in specific circumstances, such as when a rookie is about to make his debut in the league.
The NHL says it's a tradition, and we respect it."
- Renaud Lavoie
If that had not been the case, then players truly would have been fined by the NHL.
Kudos to the league for finally recognizing this little tradition!
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