Hockey is a safer sport thanks to a Vanderhoof man.
Ken Clay invented the hockey visor in 1964 after a stick to the face during a game with the Vanderhoof Bears cost him his sight in one eye.
After a stint in hospital, Clay was looking for a way to get back in the game. His quest took him to a local sports store.
“They had these Cooper helmets and then I seen a mask, a goaltenders one. I took it home and I cut it in half and I bolted it to the helmet and then I went out and started practicing and playing again and it worked.”
Clay says he’d never worn a helmet on the ice before creating his safety head gear.
“It was just an idea that materialized and I went with it and it worked for me. Then a lot of the players that we played with, they started wearing them and it just went from there. For a while there I had to get new facemask cut him down and bolt them on.”
Clay was never given credit for his invention, which has saved countless players from nasty injuries.
“I don’t feel like a hero or anything but it just makes me feel more comfortable to watch these guys. The way they’re playing hockey nowadays, it’s a tough sport but they’re surviving.”
Clay visited Vanderhoof last night, attending a meet and greet event at The Village Inn Banquet Hall.
With files from Addison Petrie