Mactavish Quits With Head Intact

The end of the St. Louis Blues’ season also means the long overdue end of an era in the NHL.

Center Craig MacTavish, the last player to go without a helmet, announced his retirement Tuesday. He did not endorse his style choice.

“Whether someone else would choose to go without one, I hope not,” MacTavish said. “I hope not, for their sake.

MacTavish, who just completed his 16th season, didn’t have to wear a helmet because he played before the NHL mandated head gear in 1979-80.

All players back then were allowed to decide for themselves, although they were required to sign a waiver stating they wouldn’t hold the league responsible for a head injury.

“I’m thankful and grateful that I’ve gotten out of the game with my health,” MacTavish, 38, said.

So why go without a helmet?

“It was just a comfort thing for me,” said MacTavish, who wore a helmet for one season (1988-89) and helped Edmonton win the Stanley Cup. “But for whatever reason I took it off the following year,” he said.

MacTavish played on four Stanley Cup champions, three with the Oilers and one with the New York Rangers. In 1,093 career regular season games, he had 213 goals and 267 assists for 480 points.

Nedved waits on Penguins

Petr Nedved, who didn’t sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins until hours before their season opener in October, said contract talks have yet to begin, and he isn’t certain when they will.

GM Craig Patrick likely will focus on hiring a new coach before he takes on player personnel matters.

Key vote due in Columbus

The owner of the Hartford Whalers is considering a temporary arena if he moves the team to Columbus, Ohio.

Whalers’ general manager Jim Rutherford toured the Nutter Center in Dayton on Monday. Team owner Peter Karmanos said his visit was the final step in finding a temporary place for games as he awaits the outcome of a May 6 vote on a proposed stadium-arena complex.