The AHL announced Friday that all players and officials will be required to wear cut-resistant neckwear during games starting this season. The top feeder league’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the policy.
It’s the first time a North American professional league has instituted such a rule regarding neckwear. The AHL began requiring its players and officials to wear cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves starting last year.
The NHL doesn’t require either form of protection to be worn, but they’ve been spiking in popularity in recent years — especially the latter. Neck protection is also quickly becoming common in the league following the death of former NHLer Adam Johnson last year due to a skate laceration to his neck suffered while playing in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
Mandatory cut protection is gradually rising from the lower levels of the game. USA Hockey announced last month that beginning Aug. 1, all youth, high school and junior hockey players competing within the organization’s purview must wear neck protection during all games and practices. The AHL’s release didn’t specify whether practices are included in the mandate.
It’s a trend that will likely continue, although there’s no indication yet when the NHL may follow its primary feeder league in instituting such a rule. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said last year that the league had initiated discussions with the NHLPA, but it doesn’t appear they’ve gone anywhere since. The overwhelming majority of NHLers were against a full mandate for neck protection in a poll conducted by The Athletic in February.
