Mandatory neck guards are coming to youth hockey in the United States.
Already required in Canada and many other countries, USA Hockey, which governs the sport at the amateur level in the U.S., has long “recommended” injury protection — specifically neck guards, but also socks, sleeves and underwear resistant to concussions. cutting.
The decision was announced on Sunday and will take effect on August 1, about nine months after the issue came to the fore when former NHL player Adam Johnson died from a skate cut to the neck during a match in England.
More NHLers have started wearing neck protection in recent months, either regularly or trying to find something comfortable.
“You’re seeing more and more of this,” one player said The Athlete. “I wear the shirt for my wrists. I think you’re going to see more and more neck guards.”
As part of it us Polling 2023-24 NHL players, we asked these players what their appetite might be for a similar mandate, for neck guards and other cut-resistant gear, at the professional level.
As you can see, for the majority – 78.45 percent of the 181 who were willing to answer this question – it’s a no-go:
For many of the players, it comes down to personal choice.
“I think it should just be your decision,” said one.
“Kids would be smart to use them, but I don’t think it needs to be mandatory,” added another.
“It’s their own risk, right?” said a third. “It’s their life.”
Some of the players who voted no said they, for their part, wear neck guards and other protective gear, including one that had been cut by a skate in the past.
“I wear it. It happened to me,” he said. “I think it’s up to you. I think there (shouldn’t) be a requirement.”
“I don’t think you should ask them, but I think it’s stupid not to wear one,” said another player. “Why didn’t you?”
“We’re all big boys,” said a third. “I personally wear them. But is it required? No.”
One idea shared by many players was to push the injury protection to the minors and youth first, with the idea of eventually bringing it to the NHL as players become more 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’d be fine with it,” said another. “But it should be grandfathered to everyone who’s used to not playing with it, like they did with the cornices.”
Some players have stated that they are not satisfied, at this point, with the skate-cut protection mechanics.
“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 be comfortable wearing it,” one player said. “I don’t like the feeling of having things on my wrists. I tried the neck guard. I felt like they were so high and so tight. It would take some time to get used to it.”
“You want men comfortable in what they’re wearing.”
NHL teams have worked with manufacturers to provide options, and several players have said that’s the right answer.
“I think what they’re doing right now is perfect, providing more stuff,” said one.
“Should be provided, but not mandatory,” said another.
“I’m happy with it,” said another. “There are many good options. I’m wearing the socks. After what happened to Adam Johnson, we’re all looking for something more to wear. This is an eye-opener for everyone.”
With the popular sentiment among NHLers as it stands, some have simply said they don’t see a realistic path forward.
“I’d love to say yes because I’d like to never see anyone get cut again,” said one player. “But I think that’s easier said than done.”
“It would be difficult to implement,” said another. “Perhaps in the future.”
One player raised a scenario in which the league would require cut-resistant gear for the neck, wrists and ankles for a trial period before deciding.
“Maybe if it was for a short period of time, so everybody got to try them at least a little bit, I think a lot of guys would stick with it,” he said. “Everyone should have their own choice, but I wouldn’t mind if they said yes.”
“I think everyone should try it,” agreed another.
Among players who answered yes, the idea of players getting used to it before making a decision was popular.
“Once everyone gets used to it, I feel like no one would want to use it or not,” said one player. “Everyone would have been used to it by now. 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 something, I don’t think kids would be interested in using it at all.”
“We grew up playing with it,” said another. “It never bothered me or probably anyone else. If they brought it back, I think it’s something you have to get used to and it might take some time, but if you do it in the summer, nobody’s going to be bothered by it once the season starts.”
“We did it in Sweden,” said a third. “It’s easy to do here.”
And most who said yes were in favor of phasing it in over time. New players coming into the league will be mandated, and eventually that would be everyone.
“Maybe start at the youth hockey level and make it mandatory there,” said one player. “Kind of incorporating it over the years, sort of. I think the (young) Canadian players might have to. In America, there was no need.”
“I think you should grandfather it in like they did with the cornices,” said another.
“I think that would be a good idea,” said a third.
(Top photo of TJ Oshie with neck guard: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
