The Western Hockey League has just announced that all players will now be required to wear neck guard protection. This new rule will go into effect on Friday, or as soon as the protective equipment is available to all teams. Players will need to wear the neck guard during practices and games. This decision comes after the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League already made neck protectors mandatory. The WHL expects some challenges in getting the protective equipment due to increased demand following the tragic passing of Adam Johnson. Johnson, a former NHL forward, died during a game in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League when his throat was cut by a skate blade. In response to this incident, the English Ice Hockey Association has also announced that neck guards will be mandatory starting in 2024. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Johnson’s former NHL team, have already made neck protection mandatory for their AHL and ECHL affiliates.
New Rule: Neck Guard Protection Now Mandatory in WHL
