Hockey leagues around the world are reconsidering rules around neck guards after Adam Johnson was killed Oct. 28, 2023.
Johnson had his neck sliced by a skate during a game against the Sheffield Steelers. An opponent was hit into the air, Johnson ducked, but was not quick enough to avoid the incoming blade.
Johnson played hockey for all of his life, starting with his time in the USHL, where he played on the Indiana Ice and the Sioux City Musketeers. In the USHL he was named an All-Star in 2015.
He continued on to play in the NCAA for the University of Minnesota Duluth, when he lost in the National Championship. He left the NCAA early after receiving an offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team he stayed with for only two years.
Johnson’s death has made the NHL consider making neck guards mandatory. Many teams have already started issuing them to their players.
The governing body of hockey in England, the EIHA, has made it mandatory for all hockey players in England to wear neck guards, no matter what the level is.
“I just wish these things never had to be made, injuries like this would never happen, because it’s so sad,” said TJ Oshie, Washington Capitals right wing, according to “The Athletic.”
Oshie has been generally anti-neck guard, saying “It’s not a cool look having neck guards on, for whatever reason, it’s just not something that’s sleek and looks great,” according to “The Athletic.”
However, after the freak accident involving Johnson’s death, Oshie ordered five neck guards, one for him and four for his teammates.
Even though it is shocking that a player would die on the ice, it is not that uncommon for players to get cut by a skate.
Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers had his wrist cut down to the bone during a game. Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who was on the Ottawa Senators at the time, had his achilles tendon cut during a game.
As a whole, hockey is a dangerous game. With many injuries every year, the technology in hockey equipment is slowly getting better. Soon, a sleeker designed neck guard may be able to prevent this type of horrific injury.
