German Ice Hockey League mandates neck protection beginning Jan. 1, 2024

The ripple effect following Adam Johnson’s horrific death from a skate cut while playing in an English Ice Hockey League game Oct. 28 continues to be felt worldwide. In the days that have followed, the English Ice Hockey Federation has mandated neck protection beginning July 1; the WHL in major junior has mandated neck protection; and several NHL players have begun wearing neckguards in games. On Tuesday the German Ice Hockey League, better known as the DEL, became the latest hockey league to mandate neck protection.

As reported by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, the DEL will mandate cut-resistant neck protection for all players beginning Jan. 1, 2024, following suit with the EIHL. The rule change in the DEL comes after the sports directors of all 14 clubs voted unanimously and struck an agreement with the DEL’s player association.

Johnson, 29, was helped off the ice in the second period of the Nottingham Panthers’ game against the Sheffield Steelers Oct. 28 and taken to a Sheffield hospital. The game was immediately suspended and fans in attendance were evacuated from the arena. The Panthers confirmed early Sunday morning Oct. 29 that Johnson had passed away as a result of the collision.

In the days that have followed, the hockey community has celebrated Johnson’s life. The Pittsburgh Penguins, with whom Johnson played 13 NHL games between 2018-19 and 2019-20, celebrated him with a final cheer from the PPG Paints Arena faithful last week.

At this time, the NHL has no official plan in place to mandate neck protection. But NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly indicated last week that commissioner Gary Bettman has been in touch with NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh to put the issue “squarely on the radar.”

Washington Capitals right winger T.J. Oshie was the first player to don a neck guard in the wake of Johnson’s death. Oshie’s company, Warroad, makes cut-resistant neck equipment.