The recent tragic passing of hockey player Adam Johnson due to a skate-cut incident on the ice has prompted increased interest in cut-resistant neck guards among amateur and pro players.
Neck guards were historically perceived as uncomfortable, but technological advancements have made players more receptive to wearing them. Numerous NHL players, including notable talents like Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Karlsson and TJTJ Oshie, have started testing neck guards. Even veteran player Claude Giroux has announced his intention to experiment with wearing one.
Johnson’s former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins team organization, has made it mandatory for players in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, the lower tiers of ice hockey, to wear neck guards for protection. The Penguins’ NHL club is currently exploring further safety options.
“We’re in the process right now of trying to talk to our players about some protective equipment in those vulnerable areas, such as the neck and wrists,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “That could be one of the positive things that might come out of this terrible tragedy.”
Preventing future incidents
Johnson, a 29-year-old forward for the Penguins, tragically died on Saturday, October 28, while playing for the Nottingham Panthers in England. During a collision in the 35th minute, another player’s skate accidentally cut his neck in what would later be called a “freak incident.”
Johnson had previously spent three years with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL and had played in over a dozen NHL games for the Penguins. During his time in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Johnson also appeared in over a dozen NHL games for the Penguins.
Following Johnson’s tragic death, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), the sport’s governing body, declared that starting on January 1, 2024, neck guards would be mandatory for all players. Until then, they could only strongly recommend using the protective gear.
“It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport,” the EIHA statement said. “Our responsibility is not only to prevent such heart-wrenching accidents but also to proactively address potential future incidents.”
The NHL has witnessed severe neck injuries caused by skates in the past. In 1989, goaltender Clint Malarchuk of the Buffalo Sabres survived a serious neck cut. In 2008, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik nearly lost his life when a teammate’s skate blade slashed his throat. One year later, Chicago Blackhawks winger Adam Burish experienced a similar, though less severe, injury.
Despite the evident risks and growing interest at the amateur level, many hockey players anticipate gradually adopting neck guards at the professional level. They point to the reluctance of pro athletes to embrace change and concerns about reduced mobility as factors slowing down the transition.
Surging demand
Consumer interest in neck guards has surged significantly after Johnson’s passing. Warroad Hockey, a company co-founded by TJTJ Oshie, a Washington Capitals forward, experienced a remarkable increase in demand.
Both Oshie and Johnson hail from Minnesota, where Warroad is headquartered. The company sold out of neck protectors just one day after Johnson’s death, even though they had introduced the gear only a month earlier.
“My motivation was for the youth,” Oshie told Minneapolis TVTV station KARE. “You know, I think one death is one too many.”
Oshie admitted that he has not worn his company’s neck guard, but he plans to test it during practice.
The USA Hockey recommends all players wear neck guards due to the potential risk to arteries, veins and nerves. However, the governing body acknowledges limited data on neck lacerations, including their frequency and the efficacy of neck guards.