AHL officially imposes major safety measure following the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson
The American Hockey League officially imposed a major safety measure following the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson and months of debates.
Almost a year ago, in November 2023, the tragic news of Adam Johnson's passing sent a ripple effect throughout the whole hockey community.
He passed away following a major incident that occurred in a hockey game. He was cut by a skate in the neck and succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital.
Johnson was only 29 years old and was playing in England at the time, for the Nottingham Panthers. In his career, he took part in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored four points, including one goal, between 2018 and 2020.
While legal procedures regarding his death go on, many hockey leagues decided to impose the neck guard on all players, in order to avoid other tragedies.
In breaking news, the AHL announced that they would do the same.
Read their official statement here:
"SPRINGFIELD, Mass. American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson announced today that the AHL's Board of Governors has unanimously approved the mandatory use of cut-resistant neck protection by all of its players and on-ice officials, beginning with the upcoming 2024-25 season.
All AHL skaters, referees, and linespersons, regardless of age or experience, will be required to wear approved cut-resistant neck protection beginning this fall. Cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves were previously mandated for AHL players and officials beginning with the 2023-24 season.
In operation since 1936, the AHL serves as the top development league for all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 130 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers."
All AHL skaters, referees, and linespersons, regardless of age or experience, will be required to wear approved cut-resistant neck protection beginning this fall. Cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves were previously mandated for AHL players and officials beginning with the 2023-24 season.
In operation since 1936, the AHL serves as the top development league for all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 130 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers."
With the AHL making that massive change, fans are wondering if we won't see the NHL apply the same rule regarding neck guards.
More to come.
Source for Adam Johnson's statistics: Hockey DB
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 23 | 148 ANSWERS AHL officially imposes major safety measure following the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson Do you think the NHL will impose the same safety measures that the AHL did following the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson? | ||
| Yes | 84 | 56.8 % |
| No | 64 | 43.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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