After the tragic on-ice death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson last year, discussions on improving player safety have heated up in the hockey world. Johnson’s passing, due to a skate blade that fatally injured his neck, has reignited debates on the need for better protection against skate-cut injuries. Yet despite this, most NHL players still resist using protective neck guards, even as other leagues and organizations mandate it for youth and amateur players.
In the wake of Johnson’s accident, leagues worldwide introduced mandatory neck protection. The NHL, however, remains largely exempt from these regulations, with only a handful of players, like Capitals winger T.J. Oshie, wearing protective neck gear voluntarily.
Player Concerns: Comfort, Performance, and Tradition
For players like Chicago Blackhawks’ center Jason Dickinson, safety concerns linger, but comfort remains a major barrier. “I want to wear it, but I also need to feel good on the ice,” Dickinson shared. Many players, who often wear minimal gear under their uniforms, find neck protection stifling and uncomfortable, raising concerns about overheating or cramping during games.
Sticking to their routines, players cite other issues, like neck guards obstructing mobility and adding heat. Dickinson, like others, worries that using additional layers may impact his performance negatively.
“Guys are stubborn,” noted Blackhawks’ winger Joey Anderson, a former teammate of Johnson’s. “They’re comfortable with their routines, and it’s hard for them to change,” he added. A look around the NHL locker rooms confirms that most players still prefer playing without neck protection, influenced by the sport’s tradition and their longstanding habits.
Rising Skate-Cut Incidents Demand Action Across Leagues
With hockey becoming faster and more intense, incidents of skate-related injuries are increasing. From broken Achilles tendons to slashed wrists, nearly every player has encountered or witnessed a close call. Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane suffered a severe wrist cut from an opposing player’s skate blade two years ago, and other notable players, like Ottawa Senators’ former defenseman Erik Karlsson, experienced significant injuries. The question of safety equipment, specifically neck guards, has only grown in urgency.
Despite the NHL’s hesitation, younger leagues, from Canadian junior hockey to USA Hockey, have implemented neck protection mandates in their respective divisions. As the sport becomes increasingly aggressive, those who have already embraced neck guards advocate for it to be normalized across all levels.
New Equipment Solutions: Addressing Player Comfort and Protection
The industry is trying to keep up with players’ demands for protective yet comfortable equipment. T.J. Oshie, a strong advocate for neck protection, developed a “neck and wrist top” shirt under his sportswear brand Warroad, integrating cut-resistant materials into a turtleneck design. Made to cover the neck and wrists without hampering mobility, Oshie’s shirt attempts to balance comfort with enhanced protection.
Warroad initially struggled to meet a surge in demand following Johnson’s incident, a clear indication of interest across various leagues and demographics. However, as Oshie pointed out, most players, though willing to try it, don’t wear the shirt consistently due to discomfort or because it disrupts their routines.
These modern neck guards are designed to avoid the “bulky” feel of older neck protection, now using thin but strong fabric. Oshie’s turtleneck, priced at $199, is constructed to stay securely in place while players move, but high costs and discomfort have prevented it from becoming popular among professional players. Still, Oshie remains one of the few NHL players to wear protective neck gear, encouraging the conversation around safety within the league.
The Business of Safety: Increased Demand and Expanding Market for Neck Guards
The rise in demand for neck guards among youth and amateur leagues has made manufacturers eager to address comfort concerns while keeping the products affordable. According to Dr. Mike Stuart, Chief Medical Officer for USA Hockey and a longtime advocate for hockey safety, “The goal is to make it effective, comfortable, and affordable for every player.” He believes that, with rising demand, new technologies will emerge that offer the right balance between safety and comfort.
Industry leaders also agree that the next step is for neck guards to become more accessible and practical for all age groups. This means lower prices, improved design, and more adaptable gear. Organizations like the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) have prioritized high-quality neck guard standards and are expected to have new certifications in place by 2025.
The HECC aims to work with manufacturers to create lightweight, comfortable gear that addresses the specific needs of hockey players. “We’re hopeful the future of neck guards will reflect the same transformation as helmets and visors did,” Stuart added, referring to how these items eventually became standard in professional hockey after years of resistance.
Youth and Amateur Leagues Lead the Way with Mandates
Many hockey leagues outside the NHL have adopted safety measures to protect young players. Following Johnson’s incident, the American Hockey League (AHL) — the primary development league for NHL hopefuls — now mandates neck guards for all players. Meanwhile, USA Hockey requires neck protection across its youth leagues, as does the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for its international tournaments.
While the NHL has refrained from mandating neck guards, those within the hockey community believe that starting with younger leagues is key to normalizing this equipment. By instilling a habit of wearing protective gear early on, younger players are more likely to use neck guards as they advance to higher levels of the game. Experts believe that over the next decade, neck guards could be widely used across the NHL as players from younger leagues transition to professional levels.
Historical Parallels: The Path to Helmet and Visor Mandates
The slow uptake of neck protection isn’t entirely new for the hockey community. Helmet mandates, now universal in the NHL, took nearly four decades to fully adopt, and visor requirements also faced strong resistance initially. The NHL began requiring new players to wear visors in 2013, while veterans still had the option to play without them.
For neck protection, advocates argue that a similar phase-in approach may be necessary, gradually making neck guards standard equipment as younger players bring these habits into the league. Dickinson believes that in ten years, neck guards will likely be as standard as helmets. He cites past trends as evidence that safety norms evolve, even if it takes a generational shift for players to embrace them fully.
Ongoing Concerns for Player Safety and Comfort
As manufacturers continue to develop better solutions, comfort remains a crucial factor influencing players’ choices. Equipment preferences are highly personal for hockey players, known for their superstitions and routines. Many players use the same gear they’ve worn since junior hockey, believing these items help them perform at their best.
Some players have experimented with new protective gear following Johnson’s death, but few have stuck with it. While some, like Oshie, adapted quickly to wearing neck guards, others found it disrupted their game. Buffalo Sabres’ Jeff Skinner, for instance, initially tried wearing a neck guard but reverted to only using it during games, not practices.
For players who are open to using protective gear, comfort innovations like Oshie’s integrated neck-and-wrist shirt may eventually help reduce skate-cut injuries. Yet, the NHL’s long-standing culture around equipment preference means that adoption of these products will likely continue slowly, even as they become more widely available and effective.
Looking Forward: Safety Evolution in Hockey
The path forward for neck protection in the NHL will depend on how successfully manufacturers balance safety with comfort and affordability. With younger leagues leading the charge, the shift toward widespread acceptance of protective neck gear seems inevitable, if gradual. Safety advocates like Stuart remain optimistic, noting that technological advancements and a greater awareness of player safety will encourage adoption.
The hockey community hopes that future generations will view neck guards as essential, similar to helmets and visors today. Until then, the league and players face a choice — adapt now to prevent further accidents or wait as the next generation makes protection the norm.
