The recent tragic death of Adam Johnson on October 28, 2023, due to a neck injury sustained during an ice hockey game has brought to light a significant safety issue within our sport.

This incident is not isolated, as another player named Teddy Balkind sadly suffered a similar fate in the US in 2022. Teddy Balkind’s story

In November 2016, Cassidy Gordon (aged 16) experienced a similar incident, thankfully Cassidy was wearing a neck guard and survived, this experience reinforces how important this equipment is and how it really does save lives. Cassidy Gordon’s story

These incidents are stark reminders of the potential dangers that players face when protective measures are not adequately enforced. The English Ice Hockey League currently does not mandate the use of protective neck guards - a crucial piece of equipment that can significantly reduce the risk of such fatal injuries. We believe it's time for this to change.

By making neck guards compulsory, we can better protect our athletes and prevent such tragedies from recurring in future games. We urge you to consider this necessary change for player safety and sign this petition urging the English Ice Hockey League to make protective neck guards mandatory for all players at all times during games and practice sessions.

Within Speed Skating, another Ice Skating sport, neck guards are a mandatory piece of equipment for international competitions and are enforced within UK competitions. Neck guards are relatively inexpensive (£20) and readily accessible - Bauer already sell these. Equipment like this may have saved Adam Johnson’s life last night, we need to prevent things like this from happening again.