The NHL has reached out to the NHLPA to discuss ways to increase neck protection after former NHLer Adam Johnson died from a skate cut in Europe over the weekend.
“The commissioner as recently as over the weekend was in touch with (NHLPA director) Marty Walsh to kind of put this squarely on the radar screen,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an interview on NHL Network Radio Tuesday.
Johnson died after his neck was accidentally cut by a skate during a game in England on the weekend. He was 29.
Following Johnson’s death, there has been a discussion among hockey circles about whether leagues should require players to wear neck guards and other equipment that would protect from skate cuts.
“I know it may not pass the ‘cool’ factor but it’s time for mandatory neck protection at every level in hockey. The risk is far too great not to,” Hockey Hall of Fame player and medical doctor Hayley Wickenheiser wrote in a post on social media.
Neck guards are not mandatory in the NHL, but are in the OHL and QMJHL. Hockey Canada also requires neck guards for all players registered in minor or women’s hockey.
“I will say, particularly through the work of Rod Pasma and our hockey operations department, we have been pushing, really pushing hard, cut-resistant materials and guards for use by our players,” Daly said. “It is an adjustment for them (but) we are strongly recommending cut-resistant materials for use currently by our players.”
Daly was also asked if the league would consider grandfathering in neck guard rules, the same way it did for helmets and visors in the past.
“I think it might be premature to say that’s gonna happen but certainly it’s something we’re going to discuss, for sure,” he responded.
A number of players said Monday they would listen to conversations about changes to the equipment, including Maple Leafs captain John Tavares. Any changes to equipment rules would require an agreement between the league and the union.
“At one point, goalies weren’t wearing helmets, and the game has evolved and continues to get safer and safer,” Tavares said. “That’s certainly probably an aspect that needs to continue to be looked at further, as one incident like that is too many.”
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