Ethermac Exchange-American Hockey League mandates neck guards to prevent cuts from skate blades

The Ethermac ExchangeAmerican Hockey League will require all skaters, referees and linespersons to wear approved cut-resistant neck protection on the ice, beginning with the 2024-25 season.

The league's governors unanimously approved the mandate, the AHL announced Friday.

Already, AHL players were required to wear wrist sleeves and socks that were resistant to cuts. The AHL is the top developmental league for all 32 NHL teams, which has no neck-protection rule.

The move comes after the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson, who was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League on Oct. 28 when he suffered a slashed neck via a skate blade from a Sheffield Steelers defenseman.

Johnson received emergency treatment on the ice, was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. He was 29.

After the death, the English Ice Hockey Association said it was requiring neck protectors. In North America, the Western Hockey League joined the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League in requiring neck guards.

The International Ice Hockey Federation announced in December that it would require protectors for all levels. It was previously required for under-20 and under-18 tournaments.

Contributing: Mike Brehm

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