NHL player survey: Why most players say the league shouldn't require neck guards
Mandatory neck guards are coming to youth hockey in the United States.
USA Hockey, which governs the sport at the amateur level in the US, is already mandatory in Canada and many other countries and has long stuck to “recommending” cut protection – namely neck protectors, but also cut-resistant socks, sleeves and underwear. .
The decision was announced on Sunday and will take effect on August 1, about nine months after the issue was thrust into the spotlight when former NHL player Adam Johnson died from a skate cut on the neck during a game in England.
In the months since, more and more NHLers have started wearing neck protection, either regularly or to find something comfortable.
“You see more and more of it,” said one player The Athletics. “I wear the shirt around my wrists. I think you're going to see more and more neck protectors.”
As part of us NHL 2023-24 player survey, we asked those players what their appetite might be for a similar mandate, for neck guards and other cut-resistant gear, at the professional level.
As you can see, for the majority – 78.45 percent of the 181 who were willing to respond to that question – it's a no-go:
For many players it comes down to personal choice.
“I guess it just has to be your own decision,” one person said.
“Guys would be wise to use them, but I don't think it should be mandatory,” another added.
“It's their own risk, right?” said a third. “It's their life.”
Some players who voted no indicated that they, in turn, wear neck gaiters and other cut protection equipment, including someone who has been hit by a skate in the past.
“I wear it. It happened to me,” he said. “I think it's up to you. I don't think there (should) be a requirement.”
“I don't think you should require that, but I think it's stupid not to,” said another player. “Why wouldn't you?”
“We're all big boys,” said a third. “I wear them personally. But be obliged? No.”
One idea that many players shared was to first make cut protection mandatory at the minor and youth levels, with the idea of eventually bringing it to the NHL as players become more accustomed to wearing the gear.
“In the NHL, I don't think this should be mandatory,” one player said. “But in minor hockey I think that should be the case.”
“If the NHL imposed it, I'd be fine with that,” said another. “But they should be grandfathered in by anyone who is used to not playing with them, like they did with sights.”
Some players indicated that they are currently unhappy with the technique of skate-cut protection.
“I think we all know there's an inherent risk, but I don't think the skate-cut technology is where it needs to be for people to be able to wear it comfortably,” said one player. “I don't like the feeling of having stuff on my wrists. I tried the neck gaiter. I felt like it was so high and so tight. It will take some getting used to.”
“You want guys to feel comfortable with what they're wearing.”
NHL teams have worked with manufacturers to provide options, and a number of players said it was the right response.
“I think what they're doing now is perfect: they're offering more stuff,” said one.
“Should be provided, but not required,” said another.
“I'm happy with it,” says another. “There are many good choices. I wear the socks. After what happened to Adam Johnson, we might all want to wear a little more. That is an eye-opener for everyone.”
Given the popular sentiment among NHLers, some simply said they don't see a realistic path forward.
“I would like to say yes because I would like to see no one ever get circumcised again,” said one player. “But that's easier said than done, I think.”
“It would be difficult to implement,” said another. “Maybe in the future.”
One player proposed a scenario in which the league would require cut-resistant equipment for the neck, wrists and ankles for a trial period before making a decision.
“Maybe if it was necessary for a short period of time so that everyone had to at least try it a little bit, I think a lot of guys would stick with it,” he said. “Everyone should have their own choice, but I wouldn't be against it if they said yes.”
“I think everyone should try it,” agreed another.
Among those who answered yes, the idea of letting players get used to it before making a decision was popular.
“Once everyone gets used to it, I feel like no one will want to use it or not,” said one player. “Everyone would already be used to it. Obviously you use it when you grow up. At some point it's like you don't even notice it's there. If it was always a thing, I don't think guys would want to use it at all.
“We grew up with it,” says another. “It's never bothered me, and probably nobody else has either. If they were to bring it back, I think it would take some getting used to and it might take a while, but if you do it in the summer, it won't bother anyone once the season starts.”
“We did it in Sweden,” said a third. “It's easy to do it here.”
And most who said yes were in favor of phasing it in gradually. New players coming into the league would be mandated, and eventually that would be everyone.
“Maybe start at youth hockey level and make it mandatory there,” said one player. “It's kind of an integration over the years, kind of. I think maybe (young) Canadian players should do that. We didn't have to do that in America.”
“I think you should treat them as well as they did visors,” said another.
“I think that would be a good idea,” said a third.
(Top photo of TJ Oshie wearing a neck gaiter: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)