NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that the league will continue to hold meetings with the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) to address player safety concerns. This decision follows the tragic death of Adam Johnson, a player for the Nottingham Panthers in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League, who suffered a fatal injury when his throat was cut during a collision with a Sheffield Steelers player.
The incident has prompted discussions about the need for additional safety measures, particularly the use of neck guards. In response, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has declared that the team will require neck protection for its AHL and ECHL clubs, and will encourage NHL players to do the same.
Commissioner Bettman has reached out to NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh to initiate a dialogue about implementing cut-resistant protection for players. It is important to note that the NHL cannot make equipment changes without the agreement of the NHLPA. Therefore, the league aims to prioritize player safety while respecting the players’ autonomy to make their own choices.
Discussions have just begun among the players, with Walsh contacting Joe Reekie, a former NHL defenseman who leads the NHLPA’s player safety initiatives. Both Reekie and his counterpart at the NHL will discuss the next steps regarding neck guards and other safety measures at the All-Star Game in February.
Daniel Briere, the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, believes that neck guards could be the next step in player equipment evolution, providing enhanced protection for players. Commissioner Bettman emphasizes that the NHL and NHLPA have been studying cut-resistant materials for a while and are eager to reach a consensus on potential safety measures that may become mandatory.
However, it is worth noting that coming to an agreement with the players on mandatory safety measures can be a lengthy process, as demonstrated by the implementation of visors on helmets. Nonetheless, Briere hopes that change does not have to wait for another tragic incident before it is implemented.