Following Johnson's tragic incident in the EIHL, Maple Leafs players have discussed some form of added neck protection. but there has yet to be any form of consensus
Following Johnson's tragic incident in the EIHL, Maple Leafs players have discussed some form of added neck protection. but there has yet to be any form of consensus
BOSTON — Adam Johnson's death has certainly kicked off the debate of neck guards and that discussion has filtered down to the Toronto Maple Leafs locker room.
"There’s not a consensus on what would be best in terms of why people don’t wear them," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "It’s an issue of personal choice and comfort."
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.
But as far as seeing that added as a requirement for the Maple Leafs, it's simply something that would likely have to be implemented in consultation with the NHL and the NHLPA.
"It’s an issue of personal choice and comfort," Rielly added. "Moving forward I think there will definitely be people looking at ways to protect that area."
Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said that most of the club wears cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves.
An email went out to players from the NHLPA following Johnson's death as the NHL and NHLPA continue to explore options going forward.
"We’re going to explore everything," NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh told the Associated Press on Wednesday. "We have to continue to have conversations on this as we move forward here. It’s a change for the players, but it’s also about protecting them, so I think we will have those conversations as we move forward here.”
There's been a heavy push for cut-resistant materials worn in the NHL and the issue of neck protection will only increase as the season goes along.
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