IIHF mandates neckguards at all levels of competition

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced on Dec. 4 that they would be making neckguards mandatory at all levels of competition.

While already mandatory at the U18 and U20 levels, the mandate enforces that neckguards be worn at the senior level, such as during the Olympics or World Championships.

The hope of making neck guards mandatory is to prevent catastrophic injuries to the neck from skates. In the wake of Adam Johnson’s tragic death in October after getting cut by a skate. Other people in the hockey world are trying to ensure that wrists and legs are protected with cut-resistant material as well.

“The IIHF remains in close contact with its suppliers to ensure they are able to respond to the current high demand,” the organization said to AP News. “Until the rule officially goes into effect, the IIHF continues to strongly recommend that neck laceration protectors are worn by all players performing in an IIHF competition.”

There is no set time on when the mandate will be enforced, as they have to make sure there is enough supply to go around. Neckguards have been facing shortages around the world due to high demand after Johnson’s death.

The IIHF oversees the Winter Olympics, the IIHF World Championship and the U-20 and U-18 IIHF World Championship for men’s ice hockey, and the Winter Olympics, IIHF Women’s World Championship and U-18 IIHF Women’s World Championship for women’s hockey.

Johnson, 29, died on Oct. 28 after his neck was cut by an opposing player’s skate blade during an on-ice collision.

More and more NHL players, including Tyler Bertuzzi of the Toronto Maple Leafs, have begun wearing the guards on a voluntary basis.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that he thinks the NHL might get itself into a position where neckguards will be mandatory, but that is dependent on cooperation with the NHLPA.

—Field Level Media