Neck braces will be mandatory at U.S. youth hockey games.
Canada and many other countries have asked USA Hockey, which governs the sport at the amateur level in the United States, to long hold its position of “recommending” tear protection — namely neck braces, but also cut-resistant socks, sleeves and underwear.
The decision, announced on Sunday and set to take effect on August 1, comes after former NHL player Adam Johnson died from a skate cut to his neck during a game in England. About nine months later.
In the months since, more and more NHL players have begun wearing neck protection, either on a regular basis or looking for something comfortable.
“You’re seeing this more and more,” one player told Competitor. “I put my shirt on my wrist. I think you’re going to see more and more neck braces.”
as part of our In the NHL 2023-24 Player Poll, we asked these players about their interest in similar tasks (neck braces and other anti-cut gear) at the professional level.
As you can see, for the majority of people (78.45% of the 181 people willing to answer the question), this won’t work:
For many players, it comes down to personal choice.
“I think it should be your decision,” one said.
Another added: “People will be smart about using them but I don’t think it needs to be mandatory.”
“It’s at their own risk, right?” said a third. “This is their life.”
Some of the players who voted no said that, for their part, they did wear neck gaiters and other anti-cut gear, including those who had been cut by skates.
“I wore it. This happened to me,” he said. “I think it’s up to you. I think (there should be) no requirements.”
“I don’t think you should ask them to do it, but I think it’s stupid not to,” another player said. “why not?”
“We are all big boys now,” said a third. “I personally wear them. But asked to? No.”
One idea that many players agree on is to make tear protection mandatory first at the minors and youth levels, eventually introducing it to the NHL as players become more accustomed to wearing the equipment.
“In the NHL, I don’t think it should be done,” one player said. “But in minor hockey, I think that’s how it should be.”
“If the NHL made it mandatory, I would agree,” said another. “But they should look after people who are used to not playing with it, just like they do with goggles.”
Some players have expressed that they are currently dissatisfied with the engineering of the blade cut protection.
“I think we all know there are inherent risks, but I don’t think skateboard cutting technology is what people need to be comfortable wearing it,” one player said. “I didn’t like the feeling of something on my wrist. I tried a neck brace. It felt so high and tight. It took a while to get used to.”
“You want people to feel comfortable in what they’re wearing.”
NHL teams have partnered with manufacturers to offer options, and many players say it’s the right response.
“I think what they’re doing now is perfect and offers so much more,” one person said.
Another said: “It should be provided, but not mandatory.”
“I’m happy with this,” said another. “There are a lot of great options. I wear socks. After what happened to Adam Johnson, we all wanted to wear more clothes. It was an eye-opener for everyone.”
Given the general sentiment among NHL players, some are simply saying they don’t see a realistic path forward.
“I’d love to say yes because I don’t want to see anyone cut again,” one player said. “But I think that’s easier said than done.”
“This will be difficult to implement,” another person said. “Maybe in the future.”
One player floated the idea that the league would make it mandatory to wear anti-cut gear around the neck, wrists and ankles and make a decision after a trial period.
“Maybe if it needs to be done in a short period of time, then everyone has to at least give it a try and I think a lot of people will stick with it,” he said. “Everyone should have their own choice, but if they say yes, I won’t object.”
“I think everyone should try it,” another agreed.
Among players who answered “yes,” the idea of letting players get used to it before making a decision was popular.
“Once everyone gets used to it, I don’t think anyone will want to use it or not use it,” one player said. “Everyone is used to it. Obviously, when you grow up, you use it. At some point, you don’t even notice it’s there. If it was always a thing, I don’t think people would care at all about using it. “
“We grew up playing with it,” said another. “It’s never bothered me or anyone else. If they bring it back, I think it’s something that will take getting used to and it might take some time, but if you do it in the summer, once the season starts, no one will Haunted by it.”
“We did it in Sweden,” said a third. “It’s easy to do here.”
Most said “yes” and favored gradual implementation over time. It will be enforced for new players entering the league, and eventually everyone.
“Maybe start at the youth hockey level and make it mandatory,” one player said. “It’s kind of built into it over the years. I think (young) Canadian players probably have to do that. In the United States, we don’t have to do that.”
“I think you have to treat it like goggles,” said another.
“I think that’s a good idea,” said a third.
(TJ Oshie pictured above wearing a neck brace: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
