By Jamison Ness, Tucker Kruse & Dr. Thomas Orr
As Adam Johnson moved towards the middle of the ice in an exciting hockey move, his neck was exposed and in a split second the skate blade of a rival player, Matt Pettgrave slashed through his skin and minimal protection essentially slitting his throat. The blood poured out and with no time for first aid or even to get to his bench, Adam died on the ice. This reality was the nightmare of anyone who cares about someone who plays a competitive sport; death on the playing field. Why did this happen and can it happen again were two of the many questions that stakeholders began asking. Solutions and ideas to keep players safe became the hot topic related to the critical question; Did Matt Pettgrave intend to cause harm and death to a co-participant in ice hockey?
Would have better equipment helped? The idea of a mandatory neck guard is not a new idea as this has been an area of debate in hockey for years. Several days after the incident a 16 year old AAA hockey player in Eastern Ontario had a skate cut into his neck, however not as deep partially because of the neck guard he was wearing. As an article published virally across Canada and the world proclaimed the neck guard was successful in preventing a deeper and potentially fatal cut. ““Luckily, he was wearing a neck guard or this could have been much worse," the tweet by the HEO officiating program said. “This can happen any night in any rink. Protective equipment matters for everyone.”" (Kierszenblat, 2023)
As a lifelong hockey player, Co-Author Dr. Orr has had his own knee gashed open that required going to the hospital. While directing a hockey camp a high school age player lost his edge and fell towards Dr. Orr with his skate blade coming first causing a great deal of blood and a tough situation as he had to be rushed to the ER while the other coaches kept things under control and completed the camp. Though not a neck injury the gash was deep enough to have killed him had it been on the neck. Dr. Orr had been the first to support a goalie who was sliced and bleeding while participating as a peewee hockey player in his youth. Just last season his son Lyndon Orr sliced open the arm of his Helena Bighorns teammate, ending his teammates season after he cut through tendons and much of his arm in an accidental play where they were tied up with an opponent and trying to get back in the play quickly. Lyndon did not even notice what had happened until the game came to a stop and his teammate rushed off the ice for emergency care. He was saved with some quick work and the luck that it was an arm and not a neck. Earlier in that season while coaching for the University of Mary defensemen Ryan Wolf had a skate slice through the side of his face and ear while playing against North Carolina State that produced a very gruesome picture and without his helmet may have killed him. These real stories demonstrate the frequency of these dangerous players and when Dr. Orr reflected on his time in Canada where our 18u players had to wear “goofy neck guards” he expained the sense in having some safety from the modern and sharper blades we are now using. People were slow to react to concussions and even safety nets to protect fans from flying pucks so it is not a surprise that their has not been a quicker and better reaction from USA Hockey.
Canada has always been more progressive than the United States when it comes to the usage and mandatory provisions related to a neck guard. Again taking the lead, “the WHL has announced that all players must wear protective neck guards moving forward. The mandate goes into effect on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, or as soon as the equipment is available. According to the WHL, these neck guards must be used during all on-ice activities, which include games and practices.” (Eltherington, 2023)
One particular problem with implementing the rule has been the incredible increase in demand that has decimated the supply of neck protection available. An initial rush cleaned out most of what stores had in stock. In several personal interviews stores reported that they had sold exponentially more in the days after than they had ever sold. One of the most popular sport stores in Minnesota which is located by the Blaine Super Rink sold a record number of neck guards. According to a group of their employees, “Many neck guards that had been collecting dust were now flying off our shelves.” (Orr, Lettermans, 2023) In neighboring North Dakota Duffys in both Minot and Bismarck are feeling the need to keep their store stocked with neck protection. Clarke Dingeman who manages Duffys said, “Parents have come in feeling the need to make sure their kids are safe when they are playing hockey. They made it a priority and are making sure their kids have them.” (Orr, Duffys, 2023)
Anticipating a supply chain challenge Hockey Canada required teams to get the additional protection as soon as possible. We found in a personal interview that November 9th was the first time a particular player used his in a WHL game as it did take some time to arrive. The player said, “I do not mind having to wear one. It does not effect my play and it is like any other piece of equipment. The rule does not effect our play but only makes us safer” (Ness, 2023)
In Sport Marketing we have a concept called “Cool Kids” effect and this is a simple idea that when our sport celebrities endorse something it becomes “cooler” because they are associated with the brand or idea. T.J. Oshie, a current NHL hockey player best known for a series of incredible shoutouts against Russia during the Olympics is generally regarded as a popular hockey player.
INSERT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUxJXzKY4LE
The fact that he instantly made a public profile showing his usage of a neck guard was a great example of a sport star using their celebrity status to make something that is not seen as cool to wear, a little bit cooler. Wearing extra protective gear in a sport ripe with masculinity is not always received well so having this type of star wear one is a great message for little kids and big kids all over the world. A cynic would quickly point to his ownership and financial gain from his affiliation with Warroad Hockey Company who makes cut resistant clothing already. You can view the site and quickly see that TJ is going to benefit financially, however the end result will be safer hockey and that is the good thing.
TJ Oshie Insert picture> https://i0.wp.com/russianmachineneverbreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/tj-oshie-neck-guard-warroad-aland.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&ssl=1
USA hockey is planning to do something but are yet to do anything substantial. The governance of hockey in not just an American issue. Because of the Olympics, World Cup of Hockey, Junior Hockey World Championships and the many international affiliations of hockey the USA cannot dictate what rule will be enforced for all of hockey. If American athletes have to play in an international event they would have to abide by that set of rules, so if the rest of the world decides to require neck protection at their events then American players would need to either adapt those rules and be used to those rules or at a minimum comply with those rules when engaged in International competition. In this sense it seems imperative that all players start getting used to playing with some type of neck protection if this is the way of the world. Even if the majority of countries do not react to this current incident, its only a matter of time before another tragedy happens.
We cannot wait for more incidents to tip the scales of our decision on this critical matter. A “hot stove strategy” where each sport organization quickly and thoroughly conducts their due diligence by implementing a mandatory policy for protective neck gear is necessary immediately to ensure we are doing the best we can to prevent “the next victim”.
References
Eltherington, W. (2023). Eastern Ontario Youth Hockey Player Saved by Neck Guard. CTV News. Path:
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/eastern-ontario-youth-hockey-player-saved-by-neck-guard-1.6648012
Kierszenblat, A. (2023). WHL Mandates Neck Guard Protection. Hockey News. Path:
WHL Mandates Neck Guard Protection - The Hockey News Western Hockey League
Ness, J. (2023). Interview with a WHL Player.
Orr, T. (2023). Interview with Clark Dingeman, Manager of Duffy’s Sports.
Orr, T. (2023). Group Interview with Lettermans Sports Employees.