Hockey Players Consider Mandatory Neck Protection After Tragic Death
Professional hockey players and teams are contemplating the implementation of mandatory neck protection following the tragic death of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson during an EIHL game this past week. This incident has sent shockwaves through the hockey community and has rekindled discussions about the importance of neck guards at all levels of the sport.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan has reported that several NHL players are now open to the idea of trying out protective neck guards in the wake of this devastating event. New Jersey defenseman John Marino revealed that he and his Devils teammates have discussed the potential of a neck guard mandate. As someone who played alongside Johnson with the Penguins, Marino added that he wouldn’t be surprised if the NHL makes neck protection mandatory in the near future.
In response to the tragedy, multiple players in the American Hockey League (AHL), the NHL’s top minor league, have been seen wearing neck protectors during games. The head coach of the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester has even confirmed that the team has placed an order for additional neck guards and shirt-neck guard combinations after the incident. Some players have already started using them in practice sessions.
The fatal injury occurred in the English Ice Hockey League (EIHL) during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers. In front of over 8,000 spectators at Utilita Arena Sheffield, Johnson’s neck was accidentally sliced by the skate of opposing player Matt Petgrave.
Following the incident, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), which oversees hockey in England, has mandated neck protection at all levels of play. This decision aligns with existing neck-guard mandates already in place by Ice Hockey UK, which operates Great Britain’s national team, and Scottish Ice Hockey, which regulates the sport in Scotland.
Despite these developments, the NHL has not yet announced any plans to introduce neck protection mandates.
The tragic loss of Adam Johnson has united the hockey community in mourning, with the Penguins and many others paying tribute to him. As they remember a life cut short, they express gratitude for having had the privilege to witness his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby also reflected on Johnson’s passing, describing him as a remarkable individual and teammate.
Johnson’s NHL career spanned 13 games between the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, during which he scored one goal and accumulated four points. He later played in the AHL and Europe before joining Germany’s DEL for the 2022-23 campaign and ultimately playing in England with the Nottingham Panthers for the 2023-24 season.
The tragic incident involving Adam Johnson has prompted significant conversations and consideration about implementing mandatory neck protection in hockey. While the path forward remains uncertain, players, teams, and governing bodies are focused on preventing similar tragedies and ensuring the safety of all those involved in the sport.
