"It took someone dying for this rule to be implemented" "NHL next": Hockey fans react as AHL mandates cut-resistant neck protection for players

The AHL unanimously voted to make cut-resistant neck protection mandatory for all players and officials beginning with the 2024-25 season, the league announced on Friday.

News of the historic decision quickly made its way around the hockey community on social media, given the talk about cut-resistant equipment at last year's NHL General Managers meeting.

At the time, the hockey community was still reeling from the death of Elite Ice Hockey League skater Adam Johnson, and several GMs, including the Buffalo Sabres' Kevyn Adams, expressed a sense of urgency in order to prevent a similar tragedy in the NHL.

While the NHL has yet to make neck protection mandatory, the AHL Board of Governors has expanded on its mandatory cut-resistant sock and wrist sleeves policy with mandatory neck protectors.

After the unanimous vote, AHL President and CEO Scott Howson announced the news on the league's website.

The NHL community was then quick to react to the news:

"NHL next," one wrote.

"So dumb that it took someone dying for this rule to be implemented. At least it's there now I guess," another added.

"This is good. I don't understand why this isn't universal across all leagues. Like they don't hamper a players ability to play the game at all," one fan pointed out

Others believe the move is long overdue.

"This is a good look. Hockey always has been and always will be the most dangerous sport on earth," one wrote.

"I don't know why this isn't mandated in every league around the world, it keeps players safe and could've prevented so many needless injuries/deaths. W decision," another added.

"Awesome. Feels like a no brainer," one added.

Looking back at the NHL's 2023 discussions about neck protection

At last year's NHL General Manager's meeting, several angles regarding neck protection were discussed after the AHL mandated cut-resistant arm sleeves and socks.

As the Sabres GM Kevyn Adams explained at the time, the GMs discussed what the league can do to keep players safe, the different options for protection, and how they can communicate the info to players.

In addition, NHL VP of Hockey Operations Rod Pasma explained that protection has come a long way, and there's no excuse for players not to wear cut-resistant equipment.

"As it sits here today, there's plenty of options for the players to wear in any category, whether it be the neck, the wrists, the socks," Pasma said (via NHL.com). "I think that element of cut protection has disappeared, meaning if you think something's too hot, if you think it's too heavy, there's options for you to look at that will fix those issues."

While cut-resistant equipment isn't mandatory, more and more players have begun to wear protective gear in the aftermath of Adam Johnson's death.

While the NHL discussed neck protection at last year's NHL General Manager's meetings early in the 2023-24 season, the league cannot make the equipment mandatory. To do so, the league and the NHL Players Association must reach an agreement.

However, as NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh explained while speaking with NHL.com, as other leagues such as the AHL and ECHL make cut-resistant equipment mandatory, more and more players who make the jump to the NHL will likely continue to wear protective gear.