Should hockey leagues mandate neck guards?

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Skate injuries can be the most frightening part of ice hockey. The metal knives that players use to move on the ice can be dangerous, even deadly.

NHL Forward Adam Johnson (left) was playing overseas in 2023 when he was struck in the neck by the skate of Matt Petgrave on the opposing team. Johnson died from his injuries, leaving the hockey community worldwide with this question — should the sport mandate neck guards?

Since this incident, several NHL players have decided to start protecting vulnerable parts of their bodies by wearing neck guards, including Stanley Cup Champion TJ Oshie, who currently owns Warroad Hockey Company, the brand that supplies neck guards to youth hockey in the United States.

Fans, players and coaches have differing opinions on whether neck guards should be the rule, but Oswego State men’s hockey coach Ed Gosek said player safety is the most important element to consider.

“These skates are designed to protect players from injuries, but you have to remember that these are essentially knives at the bottom of these skates,” said Gosek. “If I were still playing, I’d like to say that I would wear a neck guard every game, and if I still had kids playing, they would too.”

Gosek said he and his staff focus on the safety of their players more than anything else, and he expects neck guards to be mandated by the NCAA sooner rather than later.

Oswego hockey has been affected by skate injuries in the past. Reigning SUNYAC defenseman of the year Travis Baker had his freshman year cut short when a skate from an opposing player tore his Achilles just two years ago.

“I was in the corner battling for a puck when I got stepped on by a skate,” Baker said.

“It’s scary to think that you could die playing the game you love,” said Baker. “We don’t want that to happen, so we wear neck guards to protect ourselves out there.”

The Lakers’ defenseman also said about half the team wears neck guards in each game, and the team wants to set a good example for all of the youth hockey players who idolize the team.