In the wake of the tragic loss of Adam Johnson, the ECHL is taking steps to assess the use of neck guard protection across the league

The hockey world was sent reeling following the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adam Johnson last Saturday.

In the aftermath, cut-resistant gear, particularly aimed at neck protection, has rightly been a hot-buttoned topic across all corners of the game, from junior to pro. 

The WHL recently announced that it was mandating neck guard protection, while numerous clubs across the pro-level, including Penguins AHL and ECHL affiliates Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling, would follow suit.

Now, in a new interview with The Hockey News, ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin has shared that the league plans on taking a hard look at the implementation of neck-based cut-resistant gear.

"We're going to take a look at it from a league level," Crelin told The Hockey News during a Friday morning call. "We actually mandated cut-resistant socks and wrist guards over the summer. Now, if a club wants to mandate it as it relates to throat guards or neck guards, let them pursue that. From a league level, we've got it on our next Player Safety Committee meeting, which will be in a week or so. So we will look at it.

"It took months before we made the decision on the wrist guards and socks. I want to give some thought to it, learn more about it, and learn what products are out there, no different than what we did in that process. With that being said, you know, if a player wants to wear that protection, he may do so."

Crelin adds that while the league will certainly not stand in the way of any clubs or players who wish to immediately move towards adopting cut-resistant gear, league-wide change will take time. 

"Change is difficult, as you might imagine. You know, perhaps this tragedy just brings it to the forefront, though. But again, if every player puts on that gear here starting tomorrow, we certainly aren't going to stop it. "