Hurricanes Latest Team to Test Out New Safety Equipment
Following the tragic death of Elite Hockey League player and former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson, who died after a skate blade cut his neck in a game in the UK last Saturday, it seems that the hockey world has started to become a bit more proactive in regards to safety equipment.
The WHL announced that neck guard protection will be mandatory, the Penguins have mandated neck protection for both their AHL and ECHL teams and even in the NHL, players have started to experiment with new gear with Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres seen starting to wear neck protection in game.
Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, who owns a protective gear company Warroad, stated that his brand had received hundreds of orders for their Kevlar shirts with built-in neck collars.
The Carolina Hurricanes have also been part of this trend towards trying out new equipment, with the full team having worn cut-resistant, wrist sleeves through the duration of the team's hour-long practice on Wednesday.
NHL teams had already been required to have wrist guards available for all players following Evander Kane's injury last season when he had his wrist sliced open after being stepped on following a spill to the ice, but now it seems like more teams are giving them a go.
According to defenseman Brady Skjei, the team decided that they wanted to give the sleeves — which is made from the same Kevlar material as the socks the players already wear — a try and while neck guards haven't yet been discussed, he wouldn't be opposed to wearing one.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour is adamant that he'd like to see his team routinely use more of the available safety equipment as well.
"Yep, yep, yep," Brind'Amour said when asked if he would like to see more players adopting safety equipment. "Because it's there to prevent it."
Brind'Amour is hoping that these tests lead to more a more permanent choice for his players.
"With what's gone on here with the tragic event lately and other injuries that have popped up, it's just a proven thing to be trying out," Brind'Amour said. "Whether or not it sticks is up to the players, but ultimately, you want to at least try."
However, the long-time player admits that it's hard to get today's players to adopt new equipment.
"Back when they put the visors in, nobody was wearing them and it was a pain," Brind'Amour said. "I remember I almost had my eye taken out and I tried a visor for several games and then I just got rid of it. You see now though that the kids come up with them. They don't even talk about it. It's the same thing with these extra safety measures with the equipment. If you just wear it growing up, then it becomes normal, so you really have to start it at the grassroots and make sure they keep wearing them."
While these changes may not stick for every Hurricanes player, it's good to at least see the players starting to take safety more seriously and look into ways they can better protect themselves.
The equipment is available and could save a life and that matters more than a bit of initial discomfort.
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