NHL strongly recommending players use neck guards in wake of Adam Johnson tragedy

The shocking death of Adam Johnson during a hockey game has rocked the hockey world and sparked discussions about the need for better neck protection.

On Tuesday morning, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly appeared on NHL Network Radio to address the tragedy and the league’s response. He revealed that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been in contact with NHLPA director Marty Walsh to address the issue of neck protection. The NHL is now strongly recommending that players use neck guards moving forward at all levels of the game.

Mike Sullivan, Johnson’s former coach in Pittsburgh, stated on Tuesday that players in the Penguins’ minor-league affiliates will now be required to wear neck guards. He hopes this will be a positive change resulting from such a tragic event.

According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, several NHL players are now considering using protective neck guards after witnessing Johnson’s accident.

New Jersey Devils defenseman John Marino and his teammates discussed the possibility of a neck guard mandate following Johnson’s death. Marino believes it’s only a matter of time before the NHL makes neck protection mandatory.

Players in the American Hockey League have already been spotted wearing neck protection, and the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate has ordered additional neck guards after the incident. Some players are already using them during practice.

Adam Johnson tragically lost his life during an EIHL game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in front of over 8,000 fans. His neck was accidentally sliced by the skate of an opposing player, Matt Petgrave.

In response to this horrific event, the English Ice Hockey Association has mandated neck protection at all levels of the game. Ice Hockey UK and Scottish Ice Hockey already had neck-guard mandates in place.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, along with the rest of the hockey community, mourned Johnson’s passing and honored his contributions to the NHL.

Captain Sidney Crosby also expressed his condolences, describing Johnson as a great guy and teammate.

Johnson played 13 games with the Penguins and had a brief stint in the German DEL before joining the Nottingham Panthers in England. He was only 29 years old.