In a concerned response to a recent unfortunate incident, the Saanich Predators, a junior division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, have issued a direct mandate for all team members to adorn neck guards during all VIJHL games. The mandate is an immediate effect, according to a statement released on the team’s website.
On Saturday, the hockey world was shaken by the tragic passing of Adam Johnson, a former NHL player. During a match in England, Johnson, playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers, suffered a fatal injury when an opponent’s skate blade slit open his neck. The 29-year-old succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Expressing their condolences, the co-owner of the Saanich Predators, Norm Kelly, talked about this new policy as a way to honour Johnson and ensure the safety of their players and the hockey community. He said, “We deem this the respectful and responsible course of action, not simply for our players, but also for all hockey families who are grieving about this regrettable loss.”
The team has announced plans to provide the protective gear for its entire roster in time for the upcoming fixture on Friday against the Victoria Cougars. Meanwhile, Johnson’s fatal incident is currently under investigation by the South Yorkshire Police. They anticipate that the extensive nature of the event will require considerable time to investigate.
Throughout the process, detectives will go through video footage, engage witnesses, and seek expert consult in the hopes of unravelling the events leading to the tragedy. Johnson, a native of Grand Rapids, Minn., had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
In the aftermath of Johnson’s death, calls for enhanced player safety have grown louder. Four-time Olympic gold medallist, Hayley Wickenheiser, now a practicing doctor and an assistant general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, echoed a powerful sentiment through social media. She advocated for obligatory neck protection at all levels of hockey, stating the importance of safety over style. In her heartfelt tribute to Johnson, she tweeted, “I know it may not pass the ‘cool’ factor, but it’s time for mandatory neck protection at every level in hockey. The risk is far too great not to.”
