‘I Thought Someone Ripped It Off My Head’: Maple Leafs’ Steven Lorentz Reacts To Bizarre Helmet Incident In Warm-Ups Against Capitals

The Toronto Maple Leafs returned to the Ford Performance Centre on Monday before their New Year’s Eve matchup with the New York Islanders.

Following the session, forward Steven Lorentz reflected on a pre-game incident against the Washington Capitals on Saturday involving his helmet getting stuck between two panes of glass that left everyone laughing.

As he completed his usual routine of bumping into the glass to warm up his shoulders, his helmet somehow became wedged between two panes of glass.

As captured on the arena's jumbotron, the bizarre incident saw defenseman Simon Benoit tried valiantly to free the helmet using his hands, but it was no match for the tight grip of the glass panes.

“I have no idea (what happened),” said Lorentz after Monday’s practice. “I thought someone ripped it off my head or something. I looked up and I had no idea how it happened. I must have moved a pane (of glass) and slid in at the perfect time.”

Eventually, forward Max Domi stepped in with scissors, cutting the helmet strap loose to release Lorentz’s helmet.

“I didn’t even know Max had come over and cut it off. I thought we had someone behind the glass that had cut it,” Lorentz explained. “And then Max went all the way to the bench, got scissors, went back, cut it, and then took the lid back, what a guy,” he added.

While Domi managed to free the helmet, part of the strap remained stuck, forcing the arena crew to remove the glass entirely, as shown in a series of images from The Hockey News’ David Alter on Saturday.

“I was wondering how they were going to get that out because it was in there pretty good,” said Lorentz.

Eventually, the 28-year-old resumed his warm-up routine briefly without a bucket, even scoring in the line rushes in warm-ups – crediting not wearing a helmet for that. However, he did note he was nervous about the idea of receiving a fine from the NHL.

“When you have your hair in the wind, you just feel a little different,” Lorentz joked. “I was worried I was going to get a fine in the mail from the NHL though,” he added.

Related: Steven Lorentz's Helmet Gets Hilariously Caught Between Two Panes Of Glass During Maple Leafs Warm-Up Against Capitals

Rule 9.6 states that it is “mandatory for all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear their helmet during the pre-game warm-up. All players who entered the League prior to the 2019-2020 season and who are currently playing are exempt from this mandate.”

Lorentz entered the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft but did not play in the NHL until the 2020-21 season. This scenario, however, was out of his hands and completely unintentional.

The forward has three goals, three assists, and six points through 37 games with the Maple Leafs this season. He’ll look to add to his point total against the Islanders on Tuesday when they visit the Maple Leafs for the second time in just ten days and the first half of a home-and-home between the two clubs.

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