WHL announces mandatory neck guard protection

[Coconuts]

Figured this deserved it's own thread as it's quite a notable bit of news

 

https://chl.ca/whl/article/whl-announces-mandatory-neck-guard-protection/

 

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today the adoption of mandatory neck guard protection for all players, effective Friday, November 3 or as soon as the protective equipment is available to the Clubs.

 

All WHL players will be required to wear protective neck guard equipment at all times while participating in on-ice activities, including WHL games and practices.

 

The WHL anticipates challenges in delivery of protective neck guard equipment from licensed suppliers due to increased demand following the tragic passing of Adam Johnson.

 

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

[Coconuts]

Hoping to see this occur in other leagues such as the AHL and NHL.

 

Don't grandfather it in like visors were, make it mandatory right off the hop. Players will adjust. 

 

This is something the NHL and NHLPA should be able to agree on, it's a player safety bit. 

Edited November 1, 2023 by Coconuts

[Coconuts]

We're already seeing some of it anyway.

 

 

 

Hopefully more to come.

 

 

 

 

[Dumb Nuck]

Although I do think it’s a great move only 2 professional players (world wide) that I could find have died from skates to the neck. Ironically more pros have died from drowning considering ice is a solid.

[Bob Long]

It's such an easy form of PPE, good to see this. 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

With the stuff like visors - and before that, helmets - being grandfathered in, a lot of it was due to "visibility" while on the ice (but was really more about vanity).

 

When you have a situation where it's probable that you could bleed out on the ice while some other skater's leg tries to behead you (purposely or not), I think adoption by players would be much more voluntary, even if it results in players feeling "uncomfortable" about having the extra gear "in the way" or "blocking heat transfer".  I mean, they just need to be reminded by the clip of a player bleeding out from a neck cut to recognize that their time in the game (and on this earth) could end on the next play.

[Rekker]

This will be standard across all leagues soon enough. Insurance companies will make sure of that. It's a good thing. 

[Bob Long]

Just now, Rekker said:

This will be standard across all leagues soon enough. Insurance companies will make sure of that. It's a good thing. 

 

Bettman will put ads on it, probably.

[Coconuts]

4 minutes ago, Dumb Nuck said:

Although I do think it’s a great move only 2 professional players (world wide) that I could find have died from skates to the neck. Ironically more pros have died from drowning considering ice is a solid.

 

I'm too lazy to bother looking into it, but if it's only been two we're lucky it hasn't been more. I know there have been other closes calls. 

 

Two is still too many though, should be an easy adjustment for players imo. 

 

1 minute ago, Bob Long said:

It's such an easy form of PPE, good to see this. 

 

Agreed, I hope to see more of this going forward.

[Rekker]

2 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Bettman will put ads on it, probably.

Dare I say, Rainbow neck gaurds? Lol

[Coconuts]

2 minutes ago, 6of1_halfdozenofother said:

With the stuff like visors - and before that, helmets - being grandfathered in, a lot of it was due to "visibility" while on the ice (but was really more about vanity).

 

When you have a situation where it's probable that you could bleed out on the ice while some other skater's leg tries to behead you (purposely or not), I think adoption by players would be much more voluntary, even if it results in players feeling "uncomfortable" about having the extra gear "in the way" or "blocking heat transfer".  I mean, they just need to be reminded by the clip of a player bleeding out from a neck cut to recognize that their time in the game (and on this earth) could end on the next play.

 

We just had someone die because of a horrific accident, but accidents do happen. Nobody should have to die for change regarding protective gear to be implemented, but someone just did and it was a tragic and unnecessary occurrence. 

 

You're right though, the parallel between visors and so on to neck guards isn't as direct. 

 

2 minutes ago, Rekker said:

This will be standard across all leagues soon enough. Insurance companies will make sure of that. It's a good thing. 

 

Wouldn't surprise me if you were right regarding insurance. It makes sense for parents wanting youth hockey players protected too, hope more minor leagues follow suit sooner than later. 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

1 minute ago, Rekker said:

Dare I say, Rainbow neck gaurds? Lol

 

Do it.  Doooo iiiiiit.  

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Rekker said:

Dare I say, Rainbow neck gaurds? Lol

 

[Dumb Nuck]

12 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

 

I'm too lazy to bother looking into it, but if it's only been two we're lucky it hasn't been more. I know there have been other closes calls. 

 

Two is still too many though, should be an easy adjustment for players imo. 

 

 

Agreed, I hope to see more of this going forward.

IF it's preventable by a non intrusive piece of equipment then yah, it needs to be mandatory, and I too am surprised there hasn't been more, the stats I looked at go back to the late 1800s. if I had to guess not knowing anything I'd go with over 10.

 

Interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ice_hockey_players_who_died_during_their_playing_careers

Edited November 1, 2023 by Dumb Nuck

[Coconuts]

15 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Bettman will put ads on it, probably.

 

Gambling ads, what else?

 

Something something don't gamble your health by not wearing protective equipment..

 

The ads could even involve neck guards.. 

[Down By the River]

18 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Bettman will put ads on it, probably.

Plekanec's turtleneck sponsored by Bet99. Probably have a slogan like "you can stick your neck out with us" or something equally insensitive. 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

6 minutes ago, Dumb Nuck said:

I too am surprised there hasn't been more

 

Particularly when you have guys trying to perform on-ice amputations mid-game.  

 

 

The league almost didn't even want to touch this one, if not for the protestations of our GM.

[Miss Korea]

32 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

Hoping to see this occur in other leagues such as the AHL and NHL.

 

Don't grandfather it in like visors were, make it mandatory right off the hop. Players will adjust. 

 

This is something the NHL and NHLPA should be able to agree on, it's a player safety bit. 

 

All it takes is one guy

 

[Dumb Nuck]

16 minutes ago, 6of1_halfdozenofother said:

 

Particularly when you have guys trying to perform on-ice amputations mid-game.  

 

 

The league almost didn't even want to touch this one, if not for the protestations of our GM.

He only got 8 games for that, I would have gave him a lot more.

[Ghostsof1915]

Pfizer Blue Pill ads on the neckguards.

 

 

[gwarrior]

Throat guards absolutely have to be made mandatory. With how fast the game is now, especially with how fast it is now, your life could be drastically altered or ended in the blink of an eye.

[Rrodja]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/01/adam-johnsons-death-makes-ice-hockey-face-up-to-games-dangers

 

An article that puts a few more names/events in for ref.

[NucksRuleYou]

They also need to start wearing protection for their legs and arms. Get some kevlar sleeves.

[Maninthebox]

I'm wondering if any of you have ever seen a hockey neck guard. The term 'better than nothing'  is particularly apt.

 

Myers will need to stack three or four of them.

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

Maybe they should start wearing chainmail...