Mandatory neck guards are coming to youth hockey in the United States.
Already required in Canada and many other countries, USA Hockey, which regulates the sport at the amateur level in the United States, has long held its line in “recommending” laceration protection, i.e. neck guards, but also cut-resistant socks, sleeves and undergarments. .
The decision was announced Sunday and will take effect Aug. 1, about nine months after the issue was thrust into the spotlight when former NHL player Adam Johnson died from a cut to the neck from a skateboard during a game in England.
Since then, more and more NHL players have started wearing neck protectors, either regularly or to try to find something comfortable.
“You see more and more,” one player said Atletico. “I wear the shirt by my wrists. “I think you’re going to see more and more neck guards.”
In the context of Our In the 2023-24 NHL Player Survey, we asked these players what their appetite might be for a similar mandate, for neck guards and other cut-resistant equipment, at the professional level.
As you can see, for the majority – 78.45% of the 181 who were willing to answer this question – it is a failure:
For many players this is a personal choice.
“I think it should just be your decision,” one said.
“Kids would do well to use them, but I don’t think it should be mandatory,” added another.
“It’s at their peril, right?” said a third. “It’s their life.”
Some of the players who voted did not indicate that, for their part, they wear neck guards and other protective clothing against cuts, including one who had been cut by a skate in the past.
“I wear it. “It happened to me,” she said. “I think it’s up to you. “I think there (should) be no requirement.”
“I don’t think you should force them to do it, but I think it’s stupid not to (wear one),” another player said. “Why wouldn’t you?”
“We’re all big kids,” said a third. “I personally wear them. But being forced to do it? NO.”
One idea shared by many players was to first mandate laceration protection at the minor and youth levels, with the idea of eventually bringing it to the NHL as players become accustomed to wearing the gear.
“In the NHL, I don’t think it should be required,” one player said. “But in minor hockey, I think it should.”
“If the NHL mandated it, I would be OK with it,” said another. “But they should be the grandfather of everyone who is used to not playing with them, like they did with visors.”
Some players have stated that they are not satisfied at this point with the design of the cut protection on the skates.
“I think we all know there’s an inherent risk, (but) I don’t think the skate-cut technology is where it needs to be for people to wear it comfortably,” one player said. “I don’t like the feeling of having something on my wrists. I tried the neck protector. I felt like it was so tall and so narrow. “It would take some getting used to.”
“You want guys to feel comfortable in what they wear.”
NHL teams have worked with manufacturers to provide options, and several players have said it’s the right answer.
“I think what they’re doing right now is perfect, providing more stuff,” one said.
“Should be expected, but not required,” said another.
“I’m happy,” said another. “There are a lot of good choices. I wear socks. After what happened to Adam Johnson, we all would like to maybe wear something more. It’s a revelation for everyone.”
With popular sentiment among NHLers as it is, some have simply said they don’t see a realistic path forward.
“I would like to say yes, because I would like to never see anyone get cut again,” one player said. “But I think that’s easier said than done.”
“It would be difficult to implement,” said another. “Maybe in the future.”
One player proposed a scenario in which the league would mandate cut-resistant equipment for the neck, wrists and ankles for a trial period before deciding.
“Maybe if it was required for a short period of time, so that everyone had to try them at least a little, I think a lot of kids would continue to do it,” he said. “Everyone should make their own choice, but I wouldn’t be against it if they said yes.”
“I think everyone should try it,” agreed another.
Among the players who answered yes, the idea of getting players used to it before making a decision was popular.
“Once everyone gets used to it, I feel like no one would care about using it or not,” one player said. “Everyone would already be used to it. Obviously, when you grow up, you use it. At some point, it’s like you don’t even notice it’s there. If it was always a thing, I think kids wouldn’t care about using it at all.
“We grew up playing with it,” said another. “He never bothered me and probably no one else either. If they brought him back, I think it’s something to get used to, and it might take some time, but if you do it in the summer, no one would worry about it once the season starts.
“We did this in Sweden,” he told a third. “It’s easy to do here.”
And most of those who said yes were in favor of its gradual introduction over time. New players coming into the league would be put in charge, and ultimately it would be everyone’s turn.
“Maybe start at the youth hockey level and make it mandatory there,” one player said. “Kind of incorporating it over the years, in a way. I think the (young) Canadian players might have to do that. In America we didn’t have to do that.”
“I think you need to adopt it just like they did with the visors,” said another.
“I think that would be a good idea,” she told a third.
(Top photo of TJ Oshie wearing a neck brace: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)