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Sports
The Associated Press and MPR News Staff

USA Hockey will mandate neck laceration protection for players under 18 effective Aug. 1

Person plays hockey
Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Cole Koepke wears a protective neck guard before an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Saturday in 2023. USA Hockey is mandating neck laceration protection for all players under the age of 18. The new rule goes into effect Aug. 1. The NHL currently does not have any such mandate for players.
Chris O’Meara | AP

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Updated: 3:14 p.m.

USA Hockey is mandating neck laceration protection for all players under the age of 18, the latest development in the wake of the death of a player in England from a skate cut to the neck.

The new rule goes into effect Aug. 1. The decision announced Sunday comes three months after American Adam Johnson died after taking a skate blade to the neck during a game in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has since mandated neck guards for players at all levels at the tournaments it runs.

USA Hockey’s decision comes after its congress approved the mandate, which also includes on-ice officials under 18 and any 19-year-old players at the boys, girls or junior level, at its annual meeting. The governing body for the sport in the U.S. also said it strongly recommends that adults wear neck protection.

“I know throughout our organization, the overwhelming opinion was that the time is appropriate to modify our rules related to neck laceration protection,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said. “We’re also encouraged that the hockey industry is committed to continuing to work to improve the cut resistant products that protect players to help influence the safest possible landscape for the game.”

Andrew Pillsbury is the father of two sons, ages 9 and 7, who play hockey in Orono, Minn. After Johnson’s death, he rushed out and purchased protective neck gear for his children.

"When I played youth hockey, I hated wearing a neck guard because it was bulky, it just felt like you were getting strangled,” Pillsbury said. “The shirts that my sons wear are the dry fit, really light technology and it just becomes a turtleneck.”

Pillsbury is also a youth hockey coach in Orono. He called the new USA Hockey rule a “no brainer.”

The NHL currently does not have any such mandate for players. Officials continue to discuss the issue of cut-resistant gear, which would require an agreement between the league and union.