AHL mandating cut-resistant neck protection for all players, on-ice officials

The minor hockey league in North America is making a decision to force players to further protect themselves.

On Friday, American Hockey League president and CEO Scott Howson announced that the league’s board of governors has approved to make cut-resistant neck protection mandatory for all players and on-ice officials. The mandate takes effect immediately with the 2024-25 season.

In a press release, the AHL was sure to mention that the new rules are in effect for all players and on-ice personnel, regardless of age or number of years played. Last season, the AHL, along with the ECHL, made cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves required pieces of equipment.

The only team that forced its players to wear neck guards during the 2023-24 season was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, as their parent team, the Pittsburgh Penguins mandate that all AHL and ECHL players wear them.

The rise in the cut-resistant protection conversation came from a trickle-down effect around the hockey world following the tragic death of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson last October. The former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton product was cut in the deck during a game in the United Kingdom in October of last year, eventually passing due to his injuries.

Since then, many governing bodies have begun forcing players to wear the necessary protection. The Western Hockey League joined the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League in mandating neck guards. The International Ice Hockey Federation began requiring neck protection for all levels of competition last year as well.

So far, the National Hockey League has yet to make any mandates for cut-resistant protection. While it has been discussed at league meetings, no rule has been introduced, as the NHL actively encourages players to wear extra equipment, but leaves it to the individuals to make the final decision. Many players across the league adopted neck protection in the wake of Johnson’s death, most notably TJ Oshie and Patrik Laine.