On October 28, an accident occurred that shook ice hockey.
In a game in the British league, Nottingham’s Adam Johnson was hit on the neck by an opponent’s skate. The former Malmö player was injured so badly that his life could not be saved.
After the tragic death, the neck guard has been a big topic of discussion around the hockey world.
– The players are concerned about the player who lost his life, his family, and also his own health of course, says Marty Walsh, CEO of the players’ organization NHLPA, whom DN interviewed when he was on site in Stockholm in November.
Image 1 of 2 Marty Walsh, CEO of the players’ organization NHLPA. Photo: Jonas Lindkvist Image 2 of 2 NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Photo: Maxim Thoré/Bildbyrån
But in the North American Hockey League there is currently no requirement to wear neck protection.
– Regardless of how we move forward and what decisions we make, we must be absolutely sure that all the protection on the body works. We don’t want to give the players any false security, we have to think about it going forward.
Do you see neck protection becoming a requirement in the NHL in the future?
– I don’t think it has to be a requirement. We’ll see. It’s a tragedy what happened, but when there’s a reaction to a tragedy, you always have to make sure it’s right. For a change in equipment, it must be proven to prevent injury, says Marty Walsh.
The league’s chief executive, Gary Bettman, says that the NHL studied protection against cuts for a long time, together with the NHLPA. But he also believes that the issue must be further evaluated before any requirement can be introduced.
– In the meantime, the players are free to use neck protection and personally it is something I strongly recommend, says Gary Bettman.
After Adam Johnson’s passing some signs of change have been noticed. Several players in the league, including the Swedish superstar Erik Karlsson, have been seen wearing neck protection during training.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs were on site in Sweden, seasoned defenseman Mark Giordano told me that he too would try it.
– It was very scary to see what happened in that match. A very, very sad event in our sport. I can’t speak for anyone else, but personally I’m open to testing. Hopefully it’s comfortable so I can keep using it, says Mark Giordano.
After the visit to Stockholm has Sportsnet reported that the 40-year-old, and other players in Toronto, tested neck protection during training.
There I played without neck protection. Had I redone it? Probably not.
Marcus Krüger has played eight seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. Since the 2022/23 season, he is back in Sweden and plays for Djurgården in the hockey Allsvenskan.
The 33-year-old gives his view on the discussion about neck protection.
– It’s clear that they thought twice after what happened. I played in North America before and there I played without neck protection. Had I redone it? Probably not. So you’ve really got food for thought there, says Marcus Krüger.
One of the players’ arguments against using neck protection is that it is uncomfortable and makes it more difficult to conduct heat away from the body. But according to the Djurgård captain, it is not a concern that should stand in the way of protecting oneself.
– I can’t speak for anyone else, but personally I don’t think so. It’s more of a habit. It’s like playing with socks or whatever, you get used to it after a while, says Marcus Krüger.
After the interview with DN was Marcus Krüger himself involved in a skating-related accident. During a match against Almtuna, he was cut on the upper lip by an opponent’s skate rail, something that Aftonbladet reported on.
He managed, however, only needing a few stitches.
“There are different types of neck protection, I think it’s fairly easy to find one that fits and that you can be comfortable with,” says Marcus Krüger. Photo: Andreas L Eriksson/Bildbyrån
The tragic fatal accident in England is not the only example in recent times, where a player has been hit on the neck by a skate rail. During one of the SC finals between Luleå and Brynäs last spring, the accident happened.
Luleå’s captain Jenni Hiirikoski was down on the ice and got an opponent’s skate across her neck, but she got out of that situation with a minor injury. In the next match, Luleå took home the SM gold with the team captain in the booth and this season she is back on the ice again.
Jenni Hiirikoski wore a neck brace that day. In Sweden, neck protection has been mandatory since the Moras player Bengt Åkerblom, then 28 years old, died after having his throat cut during a training match in October 1995.
But even though it is a requirement, it is neglected.
Just in the days after Adam Johnson’s death, several reports to the disciplinary committee were brought to the attention of players who did not wear neck protection.
– Of course, it is anything but acceptable. The rules have been clear in Swedish hockey since 1995 and now also internationally. Having said that, I don’t think you should put it in the lap of judges or disciplinary committees, says Anders Larsson, chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.
Jenni Hiirikoski during a match between Luleå and Djurgården in the SDHL this season. Photo: Andreas L Eriksson/Bildbyrån
He thinks that in the first place is the players’ own responsibility – it’s about their own safety.
– And among children and young people, who may not quite understand the meaning in the same way, it is of course also a leadership responsibility.
Anders Larsson explains that other types of rules are also applied to protect the players. For example, that you may not kick the puck into the goal. That rule is not designed simply because it is not a valid way to score goals.
– In dense situations in front of the box, where someone may have fallen or is lying on the ice, then we don’t want someone standing there and trying to kick the puck in. So there are a number of rules that are made to protect this as much as possible.
Anders Larsson, chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Photo: Tobias Sterner/Bildbyrån
Previously, there was no requirement on wearing neck protection during international matches. This means that Swedish players did not need to use the protection when they played for Tre Kronor.
But recently the IIHF took a new decision. Neck protection will now be mandatory at both junior and senior level. The rule will be implemented first and foremost to JVM in Gothenburg, starting on December 26.
– I think it feels good and above all important, it is ultimately about the players’ safety.
– That rule has served us well (in Sweden) and it feels very good that it will now also be the same rule internationally at all championships organized by the IIHF, says Anders Larsson.
Facts. Skating accidents that affected ice hockey
1989: Clint Malarchuk, Buffalo Sabres
During an NHL game between the Buffalo Sabers and the St. Louis Blues, Clint Malarchuk got a skate across his neck. Blood poured onto the ice, but the goaltender miraculously survived after receiving quick help from the team’s physical trainer Jim Pizzutelli.
Much later, Clint Malarchuk has spoken openly about his struggle with mental illness after the terrible accident. Today, he travels around North America lecturing on various topics, such as PTSD, depression and alcoholism.
1995: Bengt Åkerblom, Mora IK
In a training match between Mora and Brynäs, Bengt Åkerblom was hit in the neck by a teammate’s skate. The skate severed the carotid artery and the then 28-year-old Bengt Åkerblom’s life could not be saved. After the tragic accident, requirements for neck protection were introduced in Swedish ice hockey.
2008: Richard Zednik, Florida Panthers
After a tackle, teammate Olli Jokinen lost his balance and in the fall he hit Richard Zednik on the neck with his skate. Blood spurted out, but Richard Zednik managed to get to the bench on his own, get help right away and survive the accident. The forward played one more season in the Florida Panthers before ending his career in AIK in 2011.
2011: Adam McQuaid, Boston Bruins
Just three years after Richard Zednik’s accident, Boston’s Adam McQuaid was hit in the neck by a skate. The Bruins quarterback managed to complete the turnover, but needed 25 stitches afterward.
2020: Jonas Ahnelöv, Leksands IF
During a combat drill in training, Jonas Ahnelöv and a teammate end up on the ice. When the other player is about to get up and leave, he accidentally steps on Jonas Ahnelöv’s neck. Backen survived the injury, but the skate is said to have been millimeters from hitting the carotid artery. Jonas Ahnelöv was wearing neck protection.
2022: Teddy Balkind, St. Luke’s School
Teddy Balkind was only 16 years old when his throat was cut by a skate during a school game in the United States. He was injured so badly that his life could not be saved. After the tragic accident, Teddy Balkind was honored by several teams and players in the NHL.
2023: Jenni Hiirikoski, Luleå HF
During the second SC final against Brynäs in March 2023, Luleå’s captain was hit on the neck by a skate, when she was lying on the ice after defending an attack. However, Jenni Hiirikoski survived the accident with a minor injury and is back on the ice again this season. Jenni Hiirikoski had neck protection.
2023: Adam Johnson, Nottingham Panthers
After a collision with an opposing player, a skate swung up and hit Nottingham’s Adam Johnson squarely across the neck. The former Malmö player received emergency treatment on the ice and was taken by ambulance to hospital, but died there from his injuries. The tragic death has once again sparked the debate around neck protection and player safety.
Sources: gp.se, nhl.com, aftonbladet.se, malarchuk.com, bostonglobe.com.
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Survey. More votes about neck protection
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
“What happened was obviously tragic. Using neck protection is a bit about personal preference, but of course you want to protect yourself. A lot of guys are using wrist guards and other extra protection after the incidents we’ve had in recent years. I think it is important to be careful.”
Linus Videll, Södertälje SK
“There is no talk of the matter, that players should have it, I think. It is very sad what happened to Adam Johnson. I always wear a neck guard and I wear it correctly too, a bit up and not folded down like some people do.
The neck protection is quite robust, it is not the most breathable material and it is where much of the body temperature is lost. So I think that’s the biggest thing, that you get warmer. But otherwise it’s not a big deal.
It’s a matter of habit, it is. I have played in the KHL and there is no one who has it, only the occasional one. I was weak and I didn’t have that either, because then you stand out so much. But here, since everyone has it, it’s very easy to have it and have it correctly. If you’ve played a few games with it, you’re used to it.”
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2023-12-20 05:18:58
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