Neck Protection is mandatory, unless

[Adrian]

Hockey Patrol
@HockeyPatrol
·
13h
The NHL has officially made neck protection mandatory, but only for the next generation.

Beginning this season, every player making his NHL debut must wear a cut-resistant neck guard. However, anyone with previous NHL experience is grandfathered in and can still decide whether to wear one.

That means a rookie entering his first game will be required to protect his neck, while an established superstar standing beside him may legally play without the same equipment.

The mandate arrives after neck protection became compulsory throughout the AHL and IIHF competition, following renewed safety concerns after the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson.

The NHL has taken an important step.

The debate is why protection from the same skate blade depends on when a player entered the league.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

This is how the NHL typically rolls out these things - it's a weird sport with equipment - like the last few players that didn't wear helmets

I imagine these will be more adopted than not - players are already wearing them

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Should be mandatory for all. Safety is safety. Hopefully, most will treat it like that.