Gliding quickly on the ice, the boys hockey team slides into a new season. With hockey season coming in full swing, concerns regarding ice hockey player safety are inevitable. After a collision that left National Hockey League player Adam Johnson dead, talk about adding protection for hockey players across the globe arose. 

As women and men across the country find joy on the ice, the most common hockey injuries occur from concussions to back injuries. To ensure that players remain safe, we must question: how can we reduce these incidents?

Even though hockey players are covered in protective gear, there are still more than 20,000 ice hockey injuries that happen per year.  For junior Collin McCammon’s club hockey team, student-athletes are now required to wear neck guards. McCammon has always worn neck guards on the ice but has teammates who dislike them.

“There’s always the chance that you could get hit by a skate when on the ice. Since [skates] are really sharp, they’re pretty dangerous. I believe hockey players need more protection, especially in areas that aren’t protected as much because injuries have happened a lot. A few days ago, there was someone [who] got cut in the leg [and] had to go to the hospital,” said McCammon.

Wearing a neck guard covers the neck area as much as possible, creating a barrier between a skate blade and a player’s neck. After being on the ice for 14 years, defensive player and senior Riley Regel has only now begun wearing a neck guard after his parents required him to wear one while playing ice hockey. 

“[On the ice], you’re padded up. You’re protected everywhere and anywhere. When [the Adam Johnson story] happened, it crossed my mind that this could happen to me. This could happen to a teammate of mine. I felt obligated to wear [a neck guard] as well,” Regel said.

However, as hockey players are already dressed in pads from head to toe, many choose not to wear neck guards. Still, this extra protection helps guarantee player safety. According to USA Hockey, just 27% of players who had a neck laceration were wearing a neck guard while playing.

After Johnson’s death, center hockey player and junior Ethan Smith has noticed a growth in understanding of the importance of protection. For example, many professional players have looked into creating new ways to keep players safe. Washington Capitals right winger T.J. Oshie opted to wear an undershirt that he and his company designed, with a built-in protective guard around the neck. Through continuously developing protective gear, research and development and starting conversations, we can create a positive change on the ice.

“One of the most common injuries is getting cut by the skate blade. [Neck guards] should be required, [or] some sort of shirt or neck guard or a turtleneck that can protect the parts of your skin that are exposed. I see [that] most of the kids on the team have started to get neck guards and undershirts to protect themselves. [Johnson’s death has] created more awareness,” Smith said.