In NHL history, who was the first to wear a helmet during games?

The correct answer is that Grant Fuhr was the first player in NHL history to wear a helmet during games. This milestone occurred during a time when helmets were not a common piece of equipment, and they were generally not mandatory. Fuhr, known for his exceptional goaltending skills, played with the Edmonton Oilers and made the decision to wear a helmet, which helped in setting a precedent for player safety in the league. His adoption of the helmet is significant as it encouraged other players to consider safety measures and ultimately contributed to the widespread acceptance of helmets in professional hockey.

While players like Gordie Howe, Ken Dryden, and Phil Esposito certainly made significant contributions to the game, they were known for playing without helmets during their careers or did not establish that pioneering role in helmet use.