English Ice Hockey Association makes neck guards mandatory after Johnson's death

The English Ice Hockey Association has responded to the tragic death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson by making it mandatory "that all players at all levels across English Ice Hockey use an approved Ice Hockey Neck Guard/Protector whilst participating in all on ice activities."

The rule will effective starting Jan. 1, 2024, largely due to anticipated supply issues, the EIHA says. Until then, it has imposed a "strong recommendation” that its players begin using a neck guard.

Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, died on the weekend after he suffered a slashed neck during the second period of the game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena while playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers.

"As in all sports, the safety of our players must take precedence above all else. We are firmly committed to our obligation to exhaust every possible means to ensure that a tragic incident of this nature never befalls our sport again," the EIHA said in a statement.

"It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport. Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future."

The EIHA is the governing body for ice hockey in England and Wales, one of several overseeing the sport in the U.K. The EIHA governs the second tier of professional men's hockey and below, as well as women's hockey and youth hockey.

Johnson played in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top tier for the United Kingdom.

The EIHL has not made neckguards mandatory, so it's unknown if this ruling by the EIHA will affect its players.

South Yorkshire Police are investigating "the circumstances surrounding the incident" of Johnson's death, according to their website. That story was first reported by ESPN.