Neck guard

[1][2] In Canada, neck protectors worn by ringette and ice hockey players must contain fabric that is BNQ certified and approved.

Ever since then, many National Hockey League (NHL) goaltenders have worn neck guards, such as Henrik Lundqvist, Marc-André Fleury, and Semyon Varlamov.

On February 10, 2008, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zedník was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Buffalo Sabres' zone, when teammate Olli Jokinen lost his balance after being checked by Clarke MacArthur.

Clutching his neck, Zedník raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood along the way, and nearly falling into the arms of a team trainer.

After Johnson's death, the English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the sport in England and Wales at all levels under the EIHL, introduced a neck guard mandate, effective beginning January 1, 2024.

A goalie wearing a neck guard.
Anže Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings wearing a neck guard in 2023. In response to Adam Johnson's death, many players from professional hockey leagues around the world wore neck guards in greater numbers.