The sight of Adam Johnson collapsing on the ice, his life tragically cut short due to a neck injury, is a chilling reminder of the inherent dangers in our beloved sport. This tragedy has sparked an urgent call for change within the National Hockey League (NHL). We must prioritize player safety above all else.

Every year, numerous players suffer from preventable injuries. According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 23% of all injuries sustained by NHL players between 2006 and 2010 were to the head or neck (Emery et al., 2013). Despite these alarming statistics, neck guards are not mandatory equipment in the NHL.

Neck guards have been proven effective at reducing risk and severity of neck injuries in other contact sports such as lacrosse and football. It's time we bring this same level of protection to hockey.

We urge Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, and all team owners to implement a rule requiring all players to wear neck guards during games. By doing so, we can honor Adam Johnson's memory and ensure that no other player suffers such a devastating fate on ice again.

Please sign this petition today - let's make hockey safer for everyone involved.