The American Hockey League announced Friday that all of its players will now have to wear a neck guard. The measure will take effect at the start of the 2024-25 season in October.
This decision by the second largest circuit in North America is part of a major trend. Last December, the International Hockey Federation had already made this piece of equipment mandatory in all competitions.
In Canada, neck protection is mandatory in all minor leagues as well as in the three major junior leagues. USA Hockey has also made it mandatory since 1er August, to all American players under the age of 18.
The hockey world was deeply shaken last fall by the death of Adam Johnson. The former Pittsburgh Penguins forward died in October 2023 after his throat was slit by a skate during a game in England. The American remained conscious after the accident and was able to be taken off the ice, but he breathed his last a few hours later in hospital.
PHOTO PAUL VERNON, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Adam Johnson
Following the tragedy, some players around the world began wearing neck braces, including in the NHL, and some leagues made them mandatory.
In a terse statement Friday, the American League said it was requiring all players and officials on the ice to wear it, regardless of age or experience. There is no “grandfather” clause, as was the case with helmets in the past or, more recently, visors, that allowed older players to circumvent the new rules.
Already last season, the American League made it mandatory to wear socks and wrist guards identified as being cut-resistant.