WHL Announces Mandatory Neck Guard Protection

The Western Hockey League (WHL) has become the first major junior league in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to mandate neck guards, effective Friday, November 3.

The CHL is comprised of the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League, (OHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

In a statement released by the WHL, they said “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.”

This move comes not even one week since the tragic death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson on Saturday. Johnson died after being cut by a skate blade while playing in an Elite Ice Hockey League game The 29-year-old appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons. Johnson spent the first three years of his professional career in the Penguins organization, collecting four points (one goal, three assists) in 13 NHL games over two seasons with Pittsburgh.

As a result of the horrific accident, the ripple effects on future safety legislation are already beginning to take shape. On Monday, the English Ice Hockey Association, the sport’s governing body for England and Wales, announced it will be mandatory for its players to wear neck guards during “all on-ice activities” beginning in 2024. Now the WHL has followed suit, it will be intriguing to see which other leagues also adopt the mandate.