Rarely in his long NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings did Gordie Howe wear a helmet. It happened during the 1950-51 season and for a very good reason. Skating against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the NHL Semifinals in 1950, Howe attempted to check Maple Leafs center Ted Kennedy but crashed headfirst into the boards.
Howe, who was not wearing a helmet, was unconscious and rushed to Harper Hospital in Detroit, where he had a 90-minute operation that included the surgeon drilling a small opening in his skull to drain fluid to relieve pressure on the brain. He sustained hemorrhaging of the brain, a fractured nose and cheekbone and a lacerated eyeball.
The injuries were so serious that doctors feared for Gordie's life. Medics insisted that he'd never play hockey again. A month later, Howe was on the ice in street clothes at Olympia Stadium after the Red Wings defeated the New York Rangers 4-3 in double overtime in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Howe returned to play the next season and led the NHL with 86 points (43 goals, 43 assists) in 70 games. Much as he disliked wearing the helmet, he donned it briefly in 1950-51 as a precautionary measure.
