Greg Neeld
Born (1955-02-25) February 25, 1955
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Toronto Toros
NHL Draft 71st overall, 1975
Buffalo Sabres
WHA Draft 40th overall, 1975
Minnesota Fighting Saints
Playing career 1975–1979

Greg Neeld (born February 25, 1955) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played 17 games for the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association.

On December 7, 1973, in an Ontario Hockey Association junior game between Neeld's Toronto Marlboros and the Kitchener Rangers, Neeld was high-sticked in the face by Kitchener's Dave Maloney, resulting in the loss of his left eye.[1] Neeld became the first player (excluding goaltenders) to wear a facial shield in regular play. Neeld's injury brought attention to issue of ocular safety in ice hockey, and in Canada, facial protection was made mandatory for minor hockey by 1980. Today, many leagues across North America and Europe mandate use of visors for their players.

He persevered with his dream to become a professional hockey player. He was drafted 71st overall in the fourth round of the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and 40th overall in the third round of the 1975 WHA Amateur Draft by the Minnesota Fighting Saints. He never played an NHL game, as the Sabres were not able to get around the rule that a player was required to be sighted in both eyes. However, Neeld appeared in 17 games with the Toronto Toros in the 1975-76 WHA season, registering only one assist. He spent part of the season in the NAHL, and the entirety of the next season. He played two more seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL) for four various teams until 1979.

Neeld is currently the CEO of a Vancouver-based mining exploration company.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Hockey visors: Meet Greg Neeld, the first hockey player to wear one
  2. ↑ Jim Jamieson (April 9, 2011). "Visors should be mandatory in the NHL, says Greg Neeld — and he should know". Vancouver Province. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.