When the topic of player safety is discussed, the focal point is often on dangerous infractions that should lead to suspensions, head-shot rules, fighting and its place in the game or perhaps protecting goalies in the crease.
Recently, cut-resistant technology has become a topic as well, mostly regarding wrist and foot/ankle protection.
Often missing from the discussion, however, is the usage of neck protection.
At the highest levels of hockey, neck guards have often been dismissed as too hot, too uncomfortable or even not fashionable. Not even the Clint Malarchuk incident in 1989 led to rule changes, nor did a scary incident with Richard Zednik in 2008.
But Adam Johnson’s tragic passing due to a skate cut to his neck in a British League game last weekend has brought this issue to the forefront. This time, it seems, attitudes might finally be changing.
In response to Johnson’s death, the English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the second tier of professional men’s hockey and below, made neck guards mandatory as of Jan. 1. The EIHL, the top-tier league where Johnson played, has not mandated the equipment, but strongly recommends players wear it.
In Canada the Western Hockey League, the CHL’s last holdout for neck protection, made neck guards mandatory as of Nov. 3, or when equipment is available to clubs.
For the NHL to make neck guards mandatory, it will need agreement from the NHL Players’ Association. Earlier this week, deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that commissioner Gary Bettman had been in touch with PA executive director Marty Walsh about this issue to “put this squarely on the radar screen.”
Whether an official rule comes soon, perhaps grandfathered in as helmets and visors were, individual players ultimately have the choice and freedom to wear neck protection. There is no rule against it.
A few players have been seen trying neck guards in practice this week, from Erik Karlsson to Tom Wilson to a number of Jets players. Rasmus Dahlin tried wearing one in a game on Wednesday, but took it off about halfway through.
“I kind of tried it out for the first time during the game, but it didn’t last that long,” Dahlin said. “I’m going to wait until they develop something. It was very warm and I felt very uncomfortable using it, so hopefully someone develops something nicer in the near future.”
In Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts column this week, he mentioned that T.J. Oshie’s company, Warroad, had received plenty of inquiries about its cut-resistant neckwear, which has since sold out. Oshie took the ice in Thursday’s Capitals game wearing neck protection.
“For youth, I hope it shows them that it’s really not a distraction from my game. I played pretty decent tonight. Actually, it was really comfortable,” Oshie said.
“(For) NHL guys, I think, it’s super important they know it’s available to them. Maybe the teams can help provide that. And then we’re grown men, if you don’t want to do it, you know … for at least now, middle of the season, I don’t know if it’s necessary to mandate it. You can make your own choices. I made my choice for my kids and I want to stick around for them. Just trying to decrease the chance of injury.”
The GMs will meet in Toronto, just over a week from now, with board of governors meetings to follow in December, and neck guards figure to be a hot topic of conversation in both places.
“I think in time here you’re gonna see a lot of NHL players wearing neck guards,” Wayne Gretzky told CityNews.
We asked a few players (and coaches) around the league this week for their thoughts on neck protection, and if it was a piece of equipment they would look to add or thought should be mandated. Here is some of what they had to say:
CONNOR MCDAVID
“The game is so fast out there, (so) unpredictable at times. No matter how smart, well prepared or how many years you’ve been playing the game, random things happen. We saw it last year with Evander (Kane). I mean, these cuts are really scary.
“We’re seeing a lot of cut-proof gear come into play. Whether or not you see something around the neck, I don’t know.
“After Evander’s injury, talking to our medical staff, they’re prepared to handle just about every situation on the ice. We put a lot of faith in those guys and they can handle just about anything.”
“Comfort is important. But it’s also comfortable to know that you’re protected. I think it’s personal preference for everybody.
“I see lots of guys who (wear the cut-proof gear), and see some guys who don’t wear much at all. It’s all choice.”
WARREN FOEGELE
“Honestly, I never really understood why we didn’t wear one. We had to wear one in the OHL.”
But you took it off when you turned pro.
“Yeah, you kind of just followed. Even ear guards are out. No one wears ear guards except for Patrick Kane and Crosby. The star guys. I’ve never understood that.
“It’s like these cut-resistant sleeves. I’m wearing them. And the Kevlar socks. Been wearing those for a while.
“The game. … Everyone’s so fast. So, it can be a bit dangerous. What’s wearing a neck guard really going to do? You don’t look cool? I have one of the worst styles in the league, so I personally don’t care about the style. I could see more guys wearing them.”
BRENDAN GALLAGHER
“First and foremost, I think everybody’s thoughts are with (Adam Johnson’s) family right now. It’s absolutely awful to hear. Actually had a friend of mine who was playing in that game … I was talking to him and it’s going to be tough on everyone going through this. I think that’s the big concern, obviously, with the family. It’s in your thoughts.”
On mandating:
“I think there will be a time and place for those discussions, I think they’re definitely taking place — maybe this jumpstarts it. But, like anything, it could be grandfathered in … maybe the league moves in that direction. … But I think, right now, with all due respect, it shouldn’t be the conversation. I think the conversation should just be about the kid we lost and trying to get the family some help.
“I’ve worn it before. At all the Hockey Canada events, we wear it.”
MARTIN ST. LOUIS
On mandating (translated from French):
“Maybe, but I don’t think in the NHL. But that’s my opinion. It’s a terrible accident, and two years ago, where I live, we experienced it with a much younger player. Hockey’s a fast game, but when you get to the NHL, there’s a bit more control — and I’m not talking about other professional leagues. I’m very for 18-, 20-year-olds being protected because those accidents do happen, and I saw that. It was close to me two years ago. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. It’s very sad.”
ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER
“Guys are just kind of used to not wearing them. And coming out of the Quebec League, it was like once you didn’t have to wear them, you got rid of them.
“I know there’s a few companies that have done wrist guards, and I’m sure they’ll revisit neck guards and see what can be done.”
You mean design better neck guards?
“Yeah, like maybe integrate it (in the collar) in your underwear. It will probably be talked about.”
BROCK BOESER
Boeser had to wear neck guards in Minnesota minor hockey, but didn’t wear them in high school or USHL or college:
“I don’t really know the circumstances of what happened and I’m not going to watch the video. It’s overwhelming, this situation. I knew the kid from Minnesota. I definitely think the lower leagues, going up to high school and maybe even juniors now, should probably be wearing it. You never know when an incident like that can happen. It’s a little different for us because we have a ton of medical people here and an ER doc (close to the ice). To be honest, I think guys just don’t like the look of them. I think there could definitely be shirts with a built-in neck guard.”
QUINN HUGHES
Hughes didn’t wear a neck guard in college or with the USNTDP, but had to wear them at IIHF under-18s:
“If the league came and said this is something they want to do, I’m sure no one would have an issue with doing that. It just hasn’t been something that people wear. You could make a point for ear guards, too. My brother Jack wears one, and Luke wears one, too.”
On leaving it up to players to decide on neck guards:
“I know I should wear a mouthguard because it would help with concussions and teeth. But I don’t wear one. It hasn’t been something that’s mandated. But with something like this, you can obviously see things changing. I know the leagues are trying to make the game as safe as possible.”
RICK TOCCHET
“Maybe there’s something that we should do about that, for sure. Anything can happen when you have skates on.”
On British ice hockey federation mandating neck guards:
“I really respect that. I think that’s a wise decision. I think we should look into it. I think it’s something, when something like this happens, you can’t just say: ‘Oh, it’s just a one-off.’ You’ve just got to definitely look into this.”
DJ SMITH
“I think the players know the risk and, knock on wood, that we don’t deal with anything else for a long time, but maybe it’s something like visors, where it becomes grandfathered in.
“The visors prevent so much with concussions and sticks to the face and eyes.”
“I would say it’s a player’s discretion and more for the league to make that call — they’ll tell us, and whatever that direction is, the players will adhere to.”
MATHIEU JOSEPH
Joseph wore a neck guard in minor hockey and junior
“If the league mandates it, obviously, we will have to wear them, but I think it’s probably going to be like visors, it might apply like that.
“It bugs some guys to wear them, and they don’t think it looks good, but we don’t want to lose another player like we just did.”
—With files from Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, Eric Engels, Wayne Scanlan and Iain MacIntyre
