May 17—The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced Thursday that it will require all high school hockey players to wear neck laceration protectors starting next season, a decision supported by several NHIAA coaches. .
The NFHS mandate comes after former NHL player Adam Johnson died last fall after sustaining a fatal neck injury during a professional game in England.
USA Hockey announced in January that it would require neck laceration protection for players under 18 and on-ice personnel starting Aug. 1.
From high school to college to the pros, the vast majority of players in North America do not wear neck protection. Notable NHL exceptions are Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings and TJ Oshie of the Washington Capitals.
Head coach Jeremy Baker said: “If that equipment is out there, and it can save someone's life or (prevent) a serious injury, I don't see why it's not mandated to protect players. No,” he said. Manchester Co-op men's hockey team.
Baker also coaches the Manchester Flames youth hockey organization.
Baker said the Flames have required neck guards for players from the Mights to Bantam levels in recent years, and USA Hockey says they plan to require neck guards for high school players next season.
Baker made his son, Zach, a junior defenseman at Pinkerton Academy, wear a neck guard in youth hockey. While playing at Memorial, Baker suffered a cut near his ribs from a skate that required 27 stitches.
“For skaters, obviously the sharpness and speed of the game and sometimes the blunt force of contact can cause serious damage,” Baker said.
Paul DiMarino has been a part of the Exeter boys hockey program for eight seasons, serving as the head coach for the past five seasons. The Blue Hawks typically have one or two players wearing neck guards, but last year four wore neck guards, the most in his time with the program, he said. Told.
Hanover men's hockey coach Dick Dodds said he tried to buy neck guards for his players before the start of last season, but they were sold out everywhere he looked. Some of his players obtained neck guards themselves and wore them.
Baker said some Manchester Co-op players started wearing shirts with neck protectors midway through last season.
Even before the NFHS decision, the Vermont Principals Association and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference both required high school hockey teams to wear neck guards.
“I've read enough bad things happen to players that didn't need to happen,” Dodds said. “At least this puts my mind at ease.”
DiMarino said players have never been required to wear neck guards and may not like the requirement at first. But they will adapt quickly, he said.
Baker and DiMarino said players may want to buy their own neck guards instead of receiving school-issued neck guards simply because of how much they sweat during practices and games. He said he expected it.
“I'm not surprised by it,” DiMarino said of the assignment. “I understand why they came to this decision to keep children safe.”
ahall@unionleader.com
