'I'll Probably Continue To Use It': Why Maple Leafs Forward Tyler Bertuzzi Will Keep Using a Neck Guard in Games
Tyler Bertuzzi became the first Maple Leafs player to wear a neck guard in an NHL game following the tragic death of former NHLer Adam Johnson in October.
PITTSBURGH — Tyler Bertuzzi knows firsthand the dangers of his profession.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was with the Detroit Red Wings in January of 2022 when he was forced to leave his game against the Anaheim Ducks due to a skate laceration to his wrist.
"It's always a scary thing," he said before his game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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The player has always worn the cut-proof socks and wrist guards so it's not a complete surprise to see the forward become the first player to wear a neck guard in an NHL game just a month after the tragic passing of former NHLer Adam Johnson.
A former member of the Penguins, Johnson succumbed to his injury after his neck was lacerated by a skate while playing for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Since that time, there have been measures from teams and professional leagues across the hockey community for players to wear some form of neck protection.
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Bertuzzi, in addition to Mark Giordano and Simon Benoit, wore neck guards at practice last week, but Bertuzzi wore his for the last couple of games, beginning with Toronto's 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
Players received a bunch of testers and different variations from the team's staff and Bertuzzi chose a separate neck guard, as opposed to the neck guard/shirt combo, mainly because he doesn't wear a shirt under his gear.
"This one was pretty comfy and it goes pretty high," he said. "It gets a little hot at times but I’ll take it off on the bench and I’ll probably continue to use it."
Giordano wore a neck guard for one practice but is still waiting for different options as he didn't find comfort in the one he had used. He picked Bertuzzi's brain during the game on Saturday to ask him how it felt.
"It looked like it didn't bother him too much," Giordano said. "I think it’s good that guys are using them across the league and more and more guys are starting to try different things."
The NHL doesn't mandate neck guards and any move in that direction would likely have to be negotiated between the NHL and NHLPA.
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