BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — All high school hockey players will now be required to wear neck protectors when they step onto the ice this winter.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSA) announced the rule change Thursday after it was proposed last month during its annual rules meeting. The mandate comes after Minnesota-native Adam Johnson was cut in the neck by a skate while playing in England last October. Johnson later died from the cut, prompting several leagues worldwide to adopt a policy requiring neck protectors.
"I'm grateful for it," said mom Sheena Conboy. "There's no reason not to have something around your neck."
USA Hockey updated its policy back in January, but the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) said it "follows the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations." MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens said in a statement, "Should the NFHS approve the neck laceration protection requirement, the League will implement that requirement here in Minnesota.'" On Thursday, the MSHSL confirmed it's adopting the new policy.
Now that the rule has been accepted by the NFHS Board of Directors, it will go into effect when the season starts. In Minnesota, that's typically around October.
"This is a culture changing decision," said the NFHS' Dan Schuster, who also helps edit the agency's rule book every year. He says this decision is one of the biggest yet.
"It’s something we can all feel like we’re doing all that we can to make the game as safe as we can," said Schuster.
In a statement, the Minnesota State High School League wrote that it, "Believes that risk minimization and the health and safety of all student-participants is imperative. Historically, the League has strongly recommended neck laceration protectors in hockey, and the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is in full support of this NFHS rules change. This rules change aligns the Federation and League safety measures with other governing bodies, such as USA Hockey, to ensure the health and safety of all participants.”
The debate over neck guards has been ongoing for about a decade. Part of the pushback was always because the design was uncomfortable and bulky - but it's also one that keeps evolving.
"It could not impede their performance, if anything it had to enhance it," said Jason Olden, who runs a hockey clothing collection with Warroad High School star turned pro TJ Oshie. "Also, what you need for a 6-year-old compared to 220 pound man playing in the NHL are different."
He says there's no international standard for testing, style or protection level and that agreeing on one will take years. For now, high schoolers are just required to wear a neck guard - there's no specific style or brand. Some of them can run around $70 and while some schools may purchase them for the kids, most will be purchased individually, according to the NFHS.
"I don't think anything phases a hockey parent if it keeps your kid protected," said Conboy.
According to the NFHS, if a player doesn't have a neck protector or it comes off during play, the player will be sent to the bench until they put the protector back on. If the player refuses to wear the neck guard, play will be stopped and they will be assessed a two-minute minor penalty. The neck protector will also be included as one of the pieces of equipment that result in an automatic stoppage of play.
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