The tragic death of a player in England has sent shockwaves through the hockey world and led to many questions being raised over player safety, particularly on the topic of neck guards.

Adam Johnson, who had previously played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was playing his first season with the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in the UK. Johnson tragically died after a freak accident on the ice when his throat was cut by the skate blade of Sheffield Steelers’ player Matthew Petgrave in a freak accident during a Challenge Cup game.

The game was subsequently abandoned and Johnson later died in hospital from his injuries.

Johnson’s death has led to many people across the world of hockey to question if neck guards should be made mandatory.

The English Ice Hockey association have announced that they will be making neck guards a mandatory piece of equipment at all non-elite levels from January 1st, 2024. However, the EIHL is yet to announce whether or not they will follow suit and also make them a requirement.

League’s in Germany are also discussing the introduction of mandatory neck protection. Currently in North America; Hockey Canada requires neck guards at all under-16 levels. While Hockey USA only ‘recommends’ that neck guards are worn at youth level but hasn’t made it a requirement. The NCAA doesn’t mandate neck guards either. While the QMJHL does mandate neck guards, other Major Junior leagues such as the WHL does not.

Johnsons’ home state of Minnesota follows Hockey USA’s guidelines and therefore does not require neck guards to be worn. Which has caused concern amongst some.

Hockey leagues in District 6, the South and West Metro area of Minnesota, have made neck guards mandatory. Brad Hewitt, Director of Hockey Minnesota District 6 said: “Kids wear shin guards, gloves and shoulder pads, they don’t mind wearing a neck guard too. You have them wearing all this gear but their throats are still completely bare and exposed.”

However, former Team USA and University of Minnesota player, Kelly Pannek has said: “It’s indefensible and it’s fluky. How many times do you see something like that happen and nothing happens from it?”

Pannek is currently the head coach of the Benilde- St Margaret’s girls’ hockey team in Minnesota and says she’ll leave it up to her players to decide if they want to wear a neck guard or not.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist with Team Canada, Hayley Wickenheiser, weighed in on the conversation on X, formally known as Twitter, as she said: “I know it may not pass the ‘cool’ factor. But it’s time for mandatory neck protection at every level in hockey. The risk is far too great not to.”

Neck guards could also be making their way into the rule book of the NHL. During an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, NHL Deputy commissioner, Bily Daly said: “We’ve been discussing the topic of neck guards recently. We have been looking into using cut-resistant materials for a while now. It’s already been mandated in the AHL and ECHL. Right now, we’re talking about wrist and forearm guards, but after the incident in England, we’ll step up the neck guards for sure.”

Many players and teams across the world of hockey will be feeling a discomfort in returning to play without the introduction of neck guards. Teams in non-elite leagues in England even refused to play the day following the incident after the league didn’t call off the games. Neck guards could be a crucial piece of equipment in youth hockey. Not only for player safety, but also to enable players with confidence to play as without it, many young players will feel hesitant in pursuing a career as a hockey player.

Many retailers across Minnesota have already stated that neck guards have been flying off the shelves as parents take it upon themselves to protect their children.

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