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Mandatory neck guards are coming to youth hockey in the United States.
Already required in Canada and several other countries, USA Hockey, which regulates the game at the amateur level in the US, has long held its own line of “recommendation” – laceration protection – namely neck guards, but cut -Also wear resistant socks, sleeves and undergarments. ,
The decision was announced Sunday and will be effective Aug. 1, nearly nine months after the issue was thrust into the spotlight when former NHL player Adam Johnson died after suffering a skate cut on the neck during a game in England Was.
Over the past few months more NHLers have started wearing neck protection either regularly or to try to find something comfortable.
“You’re seeing it more and more,” one player pointed out. athletic, “I wear shirts for my wrists. I think you’re going to see more and more neck guards.”
as part of Our In the NHL 2023-24 Player Poll, we asked those players what their appetite might be for a similar mandate for neck guards and other cut-resistant equipment at the pro level.
As you can see, for the majority – 78.45 percent of the 181 who were willing to answer that question – this is unacceptable:
For many players, it comes down to personal preference.
“I think it should just be your own decision,” said one.
Another said, “People would be smart to use them, but I don’t think it needs to be mandatory.”
“It’s their own risk, right?” The third one said. “It’s their life.”
Some players who voted no indicated that, for their part, they wear neck guards and other cut-protective gear, including gear that has been cut by skates in the past.
“I wear it. It happened to me,” he said. “I guess it’s up to you. I think there should be no need for this.”
Another player said, “I don’t think you should need it, but I think it’s stupid not to wear it.” “Why wouldn’t you do that?”
“We’re all big boys,” said a third. “I personally wear them. But is it needed? No.”
One idea shared by many players was to mandate laceration protection at the younger and youth levels first, with the idea of eventually bringing it to the NHL as players become more accustomed to wearing the equipment.
“In the NHL, I don’t think it should be required,” one player said. “But in minor hockey, I think it should be like that.”
“If the NHL mandated it, I wouldn’t mind it,” said another. “But he should grandfather in all those who are used to not playing with it, as he did with Visser.”
Some players indicated that they were not satisfied with the engineering of the skate-cut protection at this point.
One player said, “I think we all know there’s an inherent risk, (but) I don’t think the skate-cut technology is where people need to be comfortable wearing it.” “I don’t like the feeling of having stuff on my wrists. I tried the neck guard. I felt like it was too high and too tight. It will take some time to get used to.”
“You want people to be comfortable in what they’re wearing.”
NHL teams have worked with manufacturers to provide the option, and many players said it is the right response.
One said, “I think what they’re doing right now is perfect, making more stuff available.”
“Should be provided, but not mandatory,” said another.
“I’m happy with it,” said another. “There are lots of good options out there. I wear socks. After what happened with Adam Johnson, we’re all probably looking for something else to wear. “It’s an eye-opener for everyone.”
In keeping with popular sentiment among NHLers, some simply said they saw no realistic path forward.
One player said, “I would love to say yes, because I never want to see anyone get cut again.” “But I think that’s easier said than done.”
“It will be difficult to implement,” said another. “maybe in the future.”
One player posed a scenario in which the league would mandate cut-resistant equipment for neck, wrists and ankles for a trial period before making a decision.
“Maybe if it was required for a short period of time, everyone would have to try these at least a little bit, I think a lot of people would stick with it,” he said. “Everyone should have their own choice, but I wouldn’t be against it if they say yes.”
“I think everyone should try it,” agreed another.
Among players who answered yes, the idea of letting players get used to it before making a decision was popular.
One player said, “Once everyone gets used to it, I think no one will care whether they use it or not.” “Everyone will already be used to it. Obviously, you will get used to it when you grow up. At one point, it seems like you don’t even notice what’s there. If it had always been a thing, I think people wouldn’t care about using it at all.”
“We grew up playing with it,” said another. “It never bothered me or probably anyone else. If they bring it back, I think it’s a getting used to thing and it may take some time, but if you do it in the summer, no one will be bothered by it once the season starts.
“We did it in Sweden,” said a third. “It’s easy to do here.”
And most of those who said yes were in favor of phasing it out over time. New players coming into the league will be mandated, and eventually everyone will have to join.
“Maybe start at the youth hockey level and make it mandatory there,” one player said. “It’s kind of been contained over the last few years. I think (young) Canadian players might have to do that. In America, we didn’t have to do that.”
Another said, “I guess you got it from Grandpa just like he did with the visors.”
“I think it would be a good idea,” said a third.
(Top photo of TJ Oshie wearing a neck guard: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
