Maple Leafs' Mark Giordano, Tyler Bertuzzi and Simon Benoit Sport Neck Guards at Practice
In their first practice since returning from a pair of games in Sweden, Giordano and Benoit put on neck guards ahead of their practice on Wednesday.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs were in Sweden, Mark Giordano admitted that he should probably try wearing a neck guard. At practice on Wednesday the defenseman along with Tyler Bertuzzi and Simon Benoit were wearing them.
Giordano was asked about his thoughts about neck guards from a member of the Swedish media following a team practice in Stockholm.
"I think I should try them. I’m willing to try them," the 40-year-old responded. "I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me personally, I would be open to try one and hopefully it feels comfortable when I use it."
On Oct. 28, Former NHL player Adam Johnson was killed while playing with the Nottingham Panthers of the United Kingdom's Elite Ice Hockey League when a skate blade cut his throat.
Since his death, the EIHL mandated neck guards as of Jan. 1, 2024, noting supply issues. The Western Hockey League has mandated neck guard use as of Nov. 3. The Pittsburgh Penguins — Johnson's former NHL team — instituted a team policy that mandates their AHL and ECHL players to wear neck guards.
That moment has given Giordano some pause and he's certainly open to trying out some of the protective gear around that area.
"It's pretty scary when you what happened in that game," Giordano recalled. "Sad moment in hockey."
The NHL and NHLPA have since been holding conversations about extra protective equipment.
"There’s not a consensus on what would be best in terms of why people don’t wear them," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly told The Hockey News earlier this month. "It’s an issue of personal choice and comfort."
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