Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
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Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
The Women's Professional Hockey League (PWHL) has been extremely popular since its inception in 2023. Many games have sold out, setting attendance records in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Detroit and Minnesota.
Despite this, the league still lacks safety measures. Currently, PWHL does not mandate the use of neck laceration protectors (also known as neck guards), but strongly recommends them.
Ever since hockey player Adam Johnson passed away from a neck injury in October 2023, there has been much discussion about whether neck guards should be mandatory in professional hockey.
Following Johnson's death, the executive director of the PWHL Players Association predicted that neck guards would become mandatory, but this has not yet happened. There is currently no policy in place to implement neck guards within the league.
As a former manager of player health and safety for the Canadian Women's Hockey League and the Women's Professional Hockey Players Association, I have first-hand experience with necessary and mandatory equipment and safety policies.
Our medical board had always recommended the introduction of neck protectors, but due to internal conflicts it was never formally enacted.
Given the newly announced body contact rule and the low salaries of PWHL players, neck guards should be mandatory to protect the health and well-being of players.
New rules for women's professional hockey
PWHL players earn an average annual salary of $35,000 per season, which is far from enough to support themselves long-term if they are injured while playing. Players are still at risk of injury due to new contacts being induced within the league.
The PWHL rulebook states that physical contact is allowed “when there is a clear intent to play the puck or attempt to 'possess' the puck.”
However, hitting and body contact are currently not allowed in women's hockey at the grassroots or minor levels. This means players are not taught how to hit or receive before they reach the professional level, potentially leaving the league with liability issues. If appropriate measures are not taken to reduce the risk of injury, PWHL may face legal challenges and reputational damage.
Neck injuries are rare in hockey, but can be serious and life-threatening. One study found that of approximately 12,000 athletes interviewed, only 485 (1.8%) reported being cut in the neck area with a skate blade while playing.
While neck protection isn't foolproof, it's a proven way to minimize hockey injuries. A systematic review has shown that athletes who use full face protection, including neck guards, have a reduced number and risk of overall head and neck injuries.
The study also found that athletes who suffered a concussion were able to return to their sport faster than those who did not wear face protection.
Neck guard policy in hockey
Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and USA Hockey have equipment policies regarding the use of neck guards, but the PWHL does not.
Hockey Canada says the use of neck guards is only mandatory for “players registered in minor and women's hockey.”
The Western Hockey League joined the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League in mandating the use of neck guards in November 2023 following Johnson's death.
The IIHF previously only recommended that all players wear neck guards, but in December 2023, the IIHF will require the use of neck laceration protectors at all levels of competition.
US Hockey, the sport's governing body, similarly recommends that players wear neck protectors, but does not require all age groups to wear them. As of January 2024, the organization has approved legislation requiring all non-adult players to wear neck guards.
However, the PWHL, like the NHL, does not adhere to any rules regarding mandatory neck guards, leaving the decision to each player.
Women's Hockey and Safety
Women's hockey sets exemplary standards for the safety of other types of equipment, including the use of helmets in accordance with safety standards. Part of this success can be attributed to the fact that equipment requirements at the grassroots and developmental levels carried over to the professional level.
In contrast, male hockey players often compromise the safety of their helmets by removing their pads or loosening their chin straps, believing that the weight of their helmets will slow them down.
But while women's hockey has made strides in safety and injury prevention, there is still room for improvement. By requiring neck guards, the PWHL continues to promote the highest level of player health and safety. It is in the PWHL's best interest to require the use of neck guards to accommodate body contact during play.
As the sport evolves and gains recognition, ensuring the safety and health of our athletes remains paramount. By implementing these measures, the PWHL will not only uphold its responsibilities to its players, but will also set the standard for progress when it comes to safety in professional sports.
