Potential Title: The Tides Might Turn: Ice Hockey Players Showing Willingness to Embrace Neck Protection
Ice hockey players' resistance to wearing neck protection may be on the verge of change as the demand for neck guards continues to grow A profound shift towards prioritizing safety is evident in the evolving stance of the sport
TJ Oshie experienced a whirlwind of emotions upon watching the final moments of Adam Johnson, a fellow American hockey player, on the ice. Reflecting on Johnson and his family, Oshie, who is a winger for the NHL's Washington Capitals and co-founder of a hockey apparel company, shifted his attention to the realization of how frequently he neglects his own self-preservation when competing at the highest level of the sport.
"I often experience a feeling of invincibility when I'm on the ice," says the 36-year-old to CNN Sport. "I have a tendency to dive into things without concern for injuries, dealing with them later."
Following Johnson's unexpected demise, labeled as a "freak accident" by his team, Oshie made the decision to wear a specially designed undershirt during the Capitals game against the New York Islanders on November 2. The undershirt, developed by his company, features a protective guard around the neck.
People lay flowers and messages in tribute to Nottingham Panthers' ice hockey player Adam Johnson.
Jacob King/PA Images/Getty Images
Fans pay tribute to US ice hockey player Adam Johnson who died last week, aged 29
During a period of intense dialogue in the hockey community regarding neck guards, his choice arose amidst the discussion, prompted by the situation surrounding Johnson's tragic demise in the UK. According to a report from the Sheffield coroner, the Nottingham Panthers player suffered a neck injury caused by another player's skate, ultimately leading to his unfortunate demise in the hospital.
The Panthers had a game against the Sheffield Steelers on October 28th. During the game, Johnson collided with an opposing player, which led to a suspension of the match and spectators being asked to leave the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Reflecting on Johnson's death, Oshie talks about wearing a neck guard and how it made him think about his kids. As he approaches the end of his career, he wanted to take an extra step to protect himself and ensure a future for their father.
Oshie reveals that a number of his Capitals teammates have started wearing cut-resistant neck guards in the past few weeks. Furthermore, there has been a growing trend among organizations to enforce the use of neck protection. The English Ice Hockey Association has recently made it mandatory for all players to wear neck guards starting next year. Similarly, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Johnson's former NHL team, have also implemented a policy requiring minor league players to wear neck guards, as confirmed by coach Mike Sullivan.
Johnson skating against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in March 2019.
According to Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden's report, she expressed serious concerns about the potential occurrence of future deaths if individuals do not wear neck guards. Additionally, she mentioned that her inquest will investigate whether the use of neck protection could have prevented Johnson's death.
Neck guards, or any form of neck coverings, are rarely seen in the NHL.
According to ice hockey broadcaster Seth Bennett, there is a prevailing machismo in ice hockey that frowns upon wearing additional protective gear.
Many players believe that wearing a neck guard mainly protects their larynx from getting hit by a puck or skate blade. There isn't a strong awareness that this equipment is crucial. In the UK, where Bennett coaches youth ice hockey, senior players only wear neck guards when it is mandated by insurance. He strongly advocates for prioritizing safety in the sport and among its players.
"Its horrific that somebody died," says Bennett. "It would be even worse if the sport stood with its fingers in its ears and its eyes closed."
Neck guard demand grows
At present, the International Ice Hockey Federation mandates the use of neck guards for junior players, while suggesting that all other players wear them while on the ice. However, the decision to make them compulsory in the games they oversee is left to individual leagues and governing bodies.
Earlier this month, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed reporters, stating that the league will be entering discussions with the players association about the introduction of neck guards. He mentioned the possibility of implementing them either through a mandate or in a phased-in manner. Moreover, he emphasized that players have the autonomy to make certain decisions for themselves.
USA Hockey advises players to wear a neck guard that provides maximum coverage, although it does not completely eliminate the risk of lacerations. According to 2018 Stanley Cup champion Oshie, hockey players have been historically stubborn, but he anticipates more players giving it a try during practice or off-ice situations.
TJ Oshie wears a neck guard prior to the Washington Capitals' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Having played in the NHL for 16 seasons and almost 1,000 games, Oshie established his own hockey apparel company called Warroad in 2018. Lately, he has been seen wearing the company's neck guard during practices and games.
Warroads neck guards feature a combination of Kevlar and steel elements, providing sufficient rigidity to remain upright and effectively protect the neck.
Demand for the company's neck and wrist guards has significantly increased in recent weeks, as both professional and amateur players are actively seeking enhanced protective equipment. This information was shared by Jason Olden, one of the co-founders of Warroad.
"We have constructed approximately 2,800 units," Olden informs CNN Sport. "In a span of just 12 hours, we have successfully sold out our entire stock of neck and wrist products."
Furthermore, he states, "From a perspective of the supply chain, it is truly a frenzy at this point. Our main objective is to safeguard as many players as possible in a swift manner, and we are preparing for continuous production going forward."
Other brands have also reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring the safety of players in light of Johnson's tragic passing.
According to Mary-Kay Messier, VP of global marketing for Bauer Hockey, "This technology is vital for saving lives. We are witnessing the implementation of effective products in the market. It is crucial that we continue to enhance these products to maximize player acceptance and comfort."
Bauer Hockey has witnessed an increase in the demand for neck guards following Johnson's tragic death. According to Messier, there has been a significant surge in retailer demand, prompting the company to take various measures to meet consumer needs. These measures include airfreighting products and scaling up production to ensure availability.
An evolving stance of safety
One of the reasons players are not consistently wearing throat protection in hockey is the rarity of neck laceration injuries, coupled with the perception that guards are either ineffective or uncomfortable.
There has been a history of rare but significant neck-cut injuries occurring in hockey, exemplified by incidents such as the tragic passing of high school hockey player Teddy Balkind last year. Additionally, in 2008, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik required emergency surgery after sustaining a neck slash during a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk experienced debilitating PTSD after a traumatic incident in 1989, where he almost lost his life due to a neck injury resulting from an on-ice collision. Upon learning about the unfortunate passing of another individual named Johnson, Malarchuk expressed that he has developed coping mechanisms to manage the lasting mental distress arising from his own neck laceration.
Malarchuk (in goal) stars for the Buffalo Sabres against the Montreal Canadiens at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo in the 1990/91 season.
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
The circumstances around Johnsons death, like other similar occurrences in the sport, have only strengthened calls for neck guards to be worn more widely.
According to Dr. Mike Stuart, chief medical officer at USA Hockey and chair of its Safety and Protective Equipment Committee, he sees these tragedies as a catalyst for change. He explains that there is now a stronger awareness of the potential for these types of injuries to happen. As a result, there has been a notable increase in leagues implementing mandates for cut-resistant products, with players and parents purchasing them at an unprecedented rate.
Stuart believes that there is a need for further enhancement in the overall quality of neck guards. He deems some of them to be too thin, insufficiently wide, prone to sliding down the neck, and susceptible to shrinking in the wash.
Adam Johnson pictured playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 29, 2019.
Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire
Police are currently investigating the tragic death of Adam Johnson, a US ice hockey player, following a freak accident. According to an expert, the protective device should extend from the ear to the collarbone in order to adequately safeguard the area below the lower jaw and above the collarbone, where important nerves and blood vessels are located.
To encourage greater usage of neck guards and other protective gear, it could be effective to implement age-specific mandates for players, similar to the compulsory helmet rule implemented in the NHL. Initially, this rule was applied to players signing professional contracts after June 1, 1979, thereby eliminating player discretion in the matter.
According to Stuart, player reluctance to wear protective equipment, including facial protection and other types of gear, has been observed despite our efforts to prioritize safety. In the National Hockey League, players still have the freedom to choose whether or not they wear helmets during warm-ups. Additionally, some players opt not to use facial protection, while others wear visors that are not effective in providing adequate protection.
Stuart expressed his strong optimism that player attitudes towards safety can improve gradually through education. He believes that protective gear, such as neck guards, will eventually be more commonly worn. Oshie also acknowledges the ongoing changes in attitudes towards safety.
"We have some reluctance to move further away from traditional methods," Oshie expresses, "and I'm not sure if that's due to our observation of our predecessors or our admiration for the experienced players when we began as rookies.
"However, it appears that the younger generation, as they mature and the sport becomes younger, is more open to making adjustments compared to previous generations."
