AHL mandates cut-resistant neckwear for players and officials starting in 2024-25

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The American Hockey League has mandated the use of cut-resistant neck protection by all of its players and on-ice officials.

The ruling goes into effect for the start of the upcoming 2024-25 season.

It was unanimously voted on by the AHL’s board of governors.

Cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves were previously mandated for AHL players and officials beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The AHL is among a list of organizations and leagues to go through with such a mandate, including the IIHF which mandated the neck protection for senior, under-20 and U18 levels.

Neck protection became more prominent after the death of American Adam Johnson, who was stuck in the neck by a skate blade during a game in Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League last year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2024.

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