Ryder Ritchie carries the puck while outrunning a Broncos attacker during a game on Oct. 29, 2022. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Player Safety

‘We don’t want another tragedy’: P.A. Raiders agree with new rule making neck protection mandatory

Nov 3, 2023 | 11:57 AM

The Prince Albert Raiders are throwing their support behind the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) new rule making neck protection mandatory.

The league announced the new measure earlier this week after former NHL player Adam Johnson passed away when his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England.

The WHL now joins the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) who already have their own policies in place.

Raiders Head Coach Jeff Truitt told paNOW he believes this is the right thing to do.

“Skates do get up, sticks get up, we don’t want another tragedy,” he said. “Player safety is the most important thing here. If you can avoid these types of things, I think it’s important.”

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Truitt added the team had a meeting after the rule was announced. They ended up discussing Johnson’s death and why neck protection was important.

“There were no problems from the players, they’ve used them in minor hockey before and international play. Everyone is in agreement with it,” said Truitt.

The rule officially came into effect on Friday. However, players will still be able to play without them until the team receives the proper equipment. The WHL expects there may be some delays due to the number of players and teams from across the country ordering their own.

“As soon as they arrive, they’ll be on us that day,” added Truitt.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced on Friday that they too would require its players to wear mandatory neck guards.

“Effectively immediately, the use of certified protective neck guards during all on-ice activities, including games and practices, for each of its 122 teams, has now become mandatory, based on equipment availability,” said a statement from the CJHL.

The CJHL said all nine of its member leagues unanimously approved the decision.

Previously, only five of the member leagues had neck guard policies in place with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) being one of the leagues that didn’t.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow