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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The hockey world continues to mourn the loss of Adam Johnson, a former NHL player who died after a freak accident in which his neck was cut by an opposing player’s skate blade during a game in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League on Saturday.
He was 29.
Since the tragic incident, discussions surrounding extra protective gear have naturally picked up.
The Rangers have not had any official conversations about wearing neck guards, largely due to the fact that they are at the end of a road trip that concluded against the Jets on Monday, but it has been a hot topic in the locker room among players.
The English Ice Hockey Association announced Monday that it is making neck guards mandatory for all players during on-ice activities beginning Dec. 31.
All clubs have been issued a “strong recommendation” to wear the safety equipment until it becomes mandated in anticipation of supply issues.
The South Yorkshire Police also announced Monday that “officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries and our investigation into the circumstances… remain ongoing.”
Following Johnson’s death, the Oxford City Stars of the National Ice Hockey League — the second highest British league — announced that its players must wear neck guards at all times on the ice.
Additionally, several players on the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins wore neck guards during their game on Sunday.
Some Rangers already wear cut resistant sleeves on the exposed areas of their bodies that aren’t covered by their gear, such as the wrists and ankles.
They have a sock-like texture to them with a compression fit.
During the Islanders’ 2019-20 season, three different players experienced skate lacerations.
Cal Clutterbuck missed 30 games after taking a blade to the wrist, which required surgery to repair and left the Islanders forward quite shaken.
Casey Cizikas was sidelined for 13 games due to a leg laceration he sustained mid game, as well.
Later in the season, Johnny Boychuk caught a skate blade directly in the face and needed 90 stitches on the inside and outside.
It was a miracle he suffered no damage to his eye in that particular incident.
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