Following tragedy in the EIHL, the AHL made the mandate official Friday
By Rob Rubio @MidWstOpeSports IceInsider.com Blackhawks Analyst
Chicago--On Friday it was announced by the American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson, that the AHL’s Board of Governors has unanimously approved the mandatory use of cut-resistant neck protection by all of its players and on-ice officials, beginning with the upcoming 2024-25 season.
All AHL skaters, referees and linespersons, regardless of age or experience, will be required to wear approved cut-resistant neck protection beginning this fall. Cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves were previously mandated for AHL players and officials beginning with the 2023-24 season.
This mandates come after the tragic on ice incident in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom back in October 2023. When former NHL player Adam Johnson (Pittsburgh Penguins) playing for the Nottingham Panthers was slashed in the throat by the skate of Sheffield Steelers Matt Petgrave. Petgrave's left skate kicked up towards Johnson as Petgrave began to fall after colliding with another Panthers player.
In the wake of this tragedy multiple players on the Blackhawks and IceHogs began to wear neck protection. (Joey Anderson, Anders Bjork, David Gust, Cole Guttman, Reese Johnson, Josh Maniscalco)
Since 1936, the AHL serves as the top development league for all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 130 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers.
I’m Rob Rubio Blackhawks lead analyst/writer for Ice Insider for more news and updates. Please follow along at IceInsider.com
Kommentarer