International Ice Hockey Federation to mandate neck guards،
The International Ice Hockey Federation announced Monday that it is making neck guards mandatory at all levels of competition in tournaments it organizes, including the Olympics and the men's and women's world championships.
The mandate would not apply to professional leagues, including the NHL, which currently has no cut-safety requirements for players. Any NHL mandate would require an agreement between the league and the players' union, who have discussed skate blade safety for years.
This decision by the IIHF follows the death of American Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate blade during a match in England at the end of October. Johnson's death at the age of 29 remains under investigation and the on-ice tragedy sparked significant debate around the sport about the need for better neck, wrist and leg protection.
The exact date the IIHF neck guard mandate comes into effect remains to be determined, depending on the supply of neck guards available.
“The IIHF remains in close contact with its suppliers to ensure they are able to meet the current high demand,” the organization said. “Until the rule officially takes effect, the IIHF continues to strongly recommend that all players participating in IIHF competition wear neck laceration protection.”
Previously, the IIHF initially had neck protection rules only for under-20 and under-18 players, so neck guards were already mandatory in tournaments like the World Junior Championship. The organization that governs hockey across the world decided to expand the order based on the recommendation of its medical committee.
The English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the sport under the Elite League where Johnson played, responded to his death by requiring all players in England to wear neck guards from 2024. Like the IIHF, the mandate was not immediate due to supply issues. .
NHL vice president of hockey operations Rod Pasma addressed general managers last month about cut-resistant equipment. Pasma said players have many more options than a decade ago, including 10 or more choices for wrist, body and Achilles tendon/foot protection, but have fewer options for neck protectors.
“In the neck, we get there,” Pasma said. “We [did not have] “
Several NHL players, including Washington's TJ Oshie and Tampa Bay's Cole Koepke, have donned neck guards for games this season in light of Johnson's death.
“The NHL guys, I think it’s very important that they know it’s going to be available,” Oshie said. “We're grown men. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. At least now, in the middle of the season, I don't know if it's necessary to impose it, but you can make your own choice. I made my choice for my children. I want to stay with them. I'm just trying to reduce the risk of injury.
