AHL Mandates Cut-Resistant Neck Protection for All Players and Officials

The American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson announced the the AHL Board of Governors unanimously approved a motion to mandate cut-resistant neck protection for all players and on-ice officials beginning in the 2024-25 season.

The AHL noted that players and officials will be required to wear this protection regardless of age or veteran status.

The league began requiring cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves during the 2023-24 season.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and their ECHL affiliate made neck protection mandatory for their teams in November of 2023 following the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson after he was struck by a skate while playing in the EIHL.

All three leagues in the CHL have mandated neck protection, while the IIHF also recently began requiring all players to wear neck guards during international play.

The NHL has not yet adopted any rules regarding neck protection.

Given the new mandate it will be interesting to see if players who wear neck protection in the AHL will keep wearing it if they graduate to the NHL.

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