The AHL announced today that all players and officials will be required to wear cut-resistant neckwear during games starting this season. The top feeder league’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the policy.
It’s the first time a North American professional league has instituted such a rule regarding neckwear. The AHL began requiring its players and officials to wear cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves starting last year.
The NHL doesn’t require either form of protection to be worn, but they’ve been spiking in popularity in recent years – especially the latter. Neck protection is also quickly becoming common in the league following the death of former NHLer Adam Johnson last year due to a skate laceration to his neck suffered while playing in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
Mandatory cut protection is gradually rising from the lower levels of the game. USA Hockey announced last month that beginning Aug. 1, all youth, high school, and junior hockey players competing within the organization’s purview must wear neck protection during all games and practices. The AHL’s release didn’t specify whether practices are included in the mandate.
It’s a trend that will likely continue, although there’s no indication yet when the NHL may follow its primary feeder league in instituting such a rule. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said last year that the league had initiated discussions with the NHLPA, but it doesn’t appear they’ve gone anywhere since. The overwhelming majority of NHLers were against a full mandate for neck protection in a poll conducted by The Athletic in February.
The Clint Malarchuk incident a number of years back was one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen on a rink. I wonder if this will be like the helmets, where it gets mandated but players can get grandfathered exceptions until, eventually, everyone gets the protective equipment.
I remember we were required to wear neck guards in high school, which was nearly 20 years ago for me. Didnt think this was new.
Question is, is this like wearing a kevlar turtleneck? Hopefully more comfortable than that.
I wore the same kim crouch throat guard that grant fuhr wore all throughout my career that started in the early 80’s .. was made out of ballistic nylon covered in terry cloth