English ice hockey makes neck guards mandatory after death of Adam Johnson
Ice hockey players in England will be required to wear neck guards starting next year, following the death of former Hibbing High School and University of Minnesota Duluth player Adam Johnson in a game.
Johnson’s neck was cut by a skate blade on Saturday while he was playing for the Nottingham Panthers.
Friends, family, teammates, and hockey fans across Minnesota and around the world continue to mourn and remember the 29-year-old.
“He got along with everybody,” recalled UMD coach Scott Sandelin, who spoke with reporters at Amsoil Arena in Duluth on Monday. “The guys loved him; they respected him. I mean, obviously, he’s a talented player—but just his personality, right? He got along with everybody, was fun to be around, and sometimes was the life of the party.”
The English Ice Hockey Association, which governs ice hockey in England below the Elite League — where Johnson was playing — announced measures on Monday to improve player safety.
Neck guards will be mandatory from Jan. 1 for all on-ice activities for players. The EIHA said it was its “strong recommendation” that all players start wearing a neck guard, effective immediately. The body added neck guards would not be mandatory immediately because of anticipated supply issues.
“It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport,” the EIHA said. “Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heartbreaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.”
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