WHL, SJHL to discuss mandatory neck guards after death of ex-NHLer

By Jaryn Vecchio

Should neck guards be mandatory for all hockey players?

That’s something the WHL and SJHL are set to discuss after former NHLer Adam Johnson passed away when his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England.

“With the tragic death of Adam Johnson this past weekend, the Western Hockey League will be reviewing its position on mandatory neck guards for all players,” read a statement from the WHL.

The league has nothing in its rulebook that forces players to wear some sort of neck protection. Guards are mandatory for players in the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

As for the SJHL, commissioner Kyle McIntyre said neck guards are recommended but not mandatory for his players.

“Those are options for players,” he said. “If a player wants to wear that, we’re certainly going to support it and encourage that.”

The only players who have to wear a neck guard are those under the age of 18 across the country.

“If someone from the (under-18 AAA Prince Albert) Mintos was playing as an affiliate with the Nipawin Hawks or Melfort Mustangs, they’re required to wear them,” added McIntyre.

That’s because of a rule set by Hockey Saskatchewan that makes it a must for any minor players to where some form of neck protection.

The SJHL will have a coaches meeting in November and a board of directors meeting in January during which the league plans on discussing the idea.

Meanwhile, the general manager of Hockey Saskatchewan believes most people are already wearing neck guards.

Kelly McClintock noted that because they’re already used to wearing them due to the rule for minor hockey players. The measure has been in place for more than 30 years.

He said the biggest challenge leagues are facing is actually making sure people are wearing them properly or using an appropriate guard.

“There are times where it may look like a neck guard, but it’s not really a neck guard,” he said.

Despite most players already using them, McClintock does believe a mandatory rule could be beneficial to ensure everyone is safe.