After Adam Johnson's death, USA Hockey mandates neck protection for juniors

On Sunday, USA Hockey announced a mandatory requirement for all junior hockey players to wear neck laceration protection, effective August 1. This decision follows the tragic death of a player three months ago due to a neck injury sustained from a skate.

Mike Trimboli, the president of USA Hockey, emphasized the organization's prioritization of safety. He acknowledged the efforts of the Safety and Protective Equipment Committee, led by Dr. Mike Stuart, and others involved in the evaluation process.

The new regulation will cover all players and on-ice officials below the age of 18 during both games and practices.

The decision follows the passing of Adam Johnson, an American hockey player who suffered a fatal neck injury while playing for the English professional team Nottingham Panthers. A coroner’s report from Sheffield, England, confirmed that Johnson, aged 29, sustained a neck wound caused by another player's skate, leading to his demise in the hospital.

The move also comes in the wake of a similar incident in 2022 involving Teddy Balkind, a high school player from Connecticut, who tragically lost his life under comparable circumstances.