After Johnson’s death
DEB is introducing mandatory neck protection from the 2024/25 season
Some national players already wore neck protection at the Germany Cup. photo
© Christian Kolbert/dpa
Later than in the DEL, the German Ice Hockey Association will also change its rules after the accidental death of Adam Johnson. There will be clear guidelines for wearing neck protection.
The German Ice Hockey Association is following the professional’s accidental death Adam Johnson will require neck protection from the 2024/25 season.
Until then, according to the association’s announcement, wearing the protection is now “recommended” due to availability. “This should ensure that possible delivery bottlenecks are avoided,” said DEB sports director Christian Künast. The DEB expects a high demand for protective equipment in the coming months.
Clear guidelines
There will be clear guidelines for neck protection. For example, it must have ISO certifications. The cut-resistant model over the neck and nape must also be made of Kevlar fibers. Some national players already wore the protection at the Germany Cup last week.
Neck and neck protection will be mandatory in the German Ice Hockey League from January 1, 2024. World Association President Luc Tardif announced last week that ice hockey players should be “safe” by the World Cup next May in the Czech Republic at the latest. By then, an obligation should be integrated into the regulations. In the youth sector, neck protection has been mandatory in all age groups for several years.
The former Augsburg DEL professional Johnson was killed by a cut on his neck from an ice skate blade during a game for his Nottingham Panthers at the Sheffield Steelers at the end of October.