USA Hockey to mandate neck guards for players under the age of 18
USA Hockey is mandating neck laceration protection for all players under the age of 18, the latest development in the wake of the death of a player in England from a skate to the neck that has reignited the debate over cut-proof gear in the sport.
The new rule goes into effect Aug. 1, a timeline that accounts for supply chain and production delays with neck guards. The decision announced Sunday comes three months after American Adam Johnson died after taking a skate blade to the neck during a game in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has since mandated neck guards for players at all levels at the tournaments it runs.
USA Hockey's decision comes after its congress approved the mandate, which also includes on-ice officials under 18 and any 19-year-old players at the boys, girls or junior level, at its annual meeting. The governing body for the sport in the U.S. also said it strongly recommends that adults wear neck protection.
"I know throughout our organization, the overwhelming opinion was that the time is appropriate to modify our rules related to neck laceration protection," USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said. "We're also encouraged that the hockey industry is committed to continuing to work to improve the cut-resistant products that protect players to help influence the safest possible landscape for the game."
While some youth leagues around the Pittsburgh area already require protective neck gear, making it mandatory across the board will help ensure young kids playing the sport will be protected.
"You don't realize how fast the game is," Alex Blum, who plays hockey, told KDKA-TV on Monday. "How dangerous it can be. Although the little guys aren't skating as fast as the professional players, it can still happen."
"Everything else is protected, so why leave the most important part of your body vulnerable to something like that," Blum added.
Garrett Pelkofer is a manager at Perani's Hockey World in Green Tree. He told KDKA-TV on Monday that sales of neck guards have tripled since Johnson's death.
While he says it's sad it took something so tragic to wake up the hockey community, he's glad it did.
"You have knives on the bottom of your feet," Pelkofer said. "If your feet were to come up, it can be deadly really easily. It's a simple and easy way and not too expensive, one of the cheapest pieces of gear we offer that can ultimately save your life."
The store is fully stocked with neck guards for all ages. Prices range from $17 to 25.
U.S. youth hockey also has been struck by on-ice tragedy in recent years. Connecticut high school player Teddy Balkind, 16, died two years ago from a skate cut to the neck during a game.
USA Hockey has long recommended cut-resistant socks, sleeves and undergarments, as well as neck protection. Its board of directors asked the safety and protection equipment committee in November to begin the process of recommending potential rule changes on neck laceration protection.
"Safety is always at the forefront of our conversations and the action of our congress today reflected that," USA Hockey president Mike Trimboli said. "We appreciate the significant work done by our safety and protective equipment committee, led by Dr. Mike Stuart, and the many others who were instrumental in the overall evaluation process."
Stuart, in a phone interview with The Associated Press late last year, said he has been trying to work on this well before the deaths of Balkind and Johnson.
"For a long time, I've been advocating and trying to work with companies on effective cut-resistant undergarments that would protect these vulnerable anatomic areas," Stuart said, referring to not only the neck but also the upper arm, wrist, thigh and ankle/Achilles tendon regions. "We have to use this as an opportunity not only to require or mandate, but to test, to certify and come up with these devices that are not only effective but are comfortable and don't restrict that range of motion and aren't prohibitively expensive."
The NHL currently does not have any such mandate for players. Officials continue to discuss the issue of cut-resistant gear, which would require an agreement between the league and union.
Three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson had his left Achilles tendon sliced by a skate blade during an NHL game in 2013, an injury that required surgery and ended his season. Winger Evander Kane missed two months after being cut by a skate on his left wrist.