AHL forces a new mandatory rule that makes all players and referees wear neck protection

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Austin Sabourin
August 23, 2024 (11:41 PM)

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The AHL has made a new rule mandatory heading into the 2024-25 season that will force all players and even officials on the ice to wear cut-resistant neck guards.

This was just announced yesterday by the AHL following the death of former NHL player of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Adam Johnson last year in October.

He was playing in a professional league for the Sheffield Steelers of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League when a skate cut him in the throat. Although the doctors and medical staff responded quickly, Adam Johnson ultimately passed away not long after the incident occurred.

The hockey world mourned the passing of Adam Johnson and some players in the NHL even went to the extent to wear neck protection after the incident occurred one of the bigger names being T.J. Oshie.

The AHL's official announcement on the matter:

Scott Howson, President and CEO of the American Hockey League, revealed today that the AHL's Board of Governors has unanimously endorsed a new policy requiring all players as well as officials to wear cut-resistant neck guards, starting with the 2024-25 season. This new mandate will apply to all skaters, referees, and linesmen across the league, regardless of their experience or age

Do you think the NHL will make this mandatory in the future?

As seen on Bruinslatest:
AHL imposes mandatory neck protection for all players and referees after the tragic death of Adam Johnson