American Hockey League to require visors

PORTLAND – The American Hockey League, which lost a player from the Portland Pirates due to an eye injury this year, on Wednesday became the second minor hockey league to require face protection for all players.

Meeting in Hilton Head, S.C., the league’s Board of Governors voted overwhelmingly to require face protection, which is already mandatory in the East Coast Hockey League. Face protection also is required for all college hockey players.

The injury to Portland defenseman Jordan Smith provided the impetus for players and owners to come to together to reach an agreement, officials said.

An errant puck ended Smith’s dreams of playing in the National Hockey League in late February. Reached at his home in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Smith said he was pleased with the league’s actions.