Jack Hughes still wants to have the choice.
The New Jersey Devils star goes to battle every night looking for any potential edge in a sport that, at the highest level, has razor-thin margins.
Feeling good on the ice in an NHL game is a big part of the equation.
With that in mind, how much cut-resistant gear, which moved to the forefront of hockeyB次元官网网址檚 safety conversation last season after the death of a player from a skate cut to the neck during a game in England, does Hughes wear under his equipment?
B次元官网网址淣ot nearly enough,B次元官网网址� he replied. B次元官网网址淕otta be comfortable.B次元官网网址�
That decision, however, could one day be taken out of playersB次元官网网址� hands.
The American Hockey League, the NHLB次元官网网址檚 top development circuit, has made cut-resistant neck protection mandatory for anyone taking the ice beginning this season.
That followed the decision ahead of the 2023-24 AHL campaign to mandate cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves.
The NHL has no such rule B次元官网网址� it would have to be collectively bargained with the NHL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association B次元官网网址� but deputy commissioner Bill Daly hopes a time comes where thatB次元官网网址檚 the case.
B次元官网网址淚 think weB次元官网网址檙e moving in that direction,B次元官网网址� said Daly, who added an overwhelming majority of players currently wear cut-resistant socks.
The league and union strongly emphasized wrist sleeves ahead of last season, according to Daly, before neck protection became a focus following the death of Elite Ice Hockey League player Adam Johnson, an American who previously had brief stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, at age 29 in October 2023.
Neck guards were already mandatory in two of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 three top junior leagues B次元官网网址� the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League B次元官网网址� prior to the incident in England. The Western Hockey League followed suit last November, while the International Ice Hockey Federation subsequently made neck protection mandatory at its tournaments.
A handful of NHL players took it upon themselves to wear neck guards last season after JohnsonB次元官网网址檚 death, including then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi.
Daly, however, said he understands the pushback.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e the highest level of the game,B次元官网网址� he said at last monthB次元官网网址檚 NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. B次元官网网址�(They) donB次元官网网址檛 want to be told necessarily what to do and what not to do, particularly when it could affect performance on some basis. TheyB次元官网网址檙e not going to jump into allowing us to make it mandatory.
B次元官网网址�(The NHLPA is) working constructively with us to at least make the players aware of the benefits of protecting themselves better than they have in the past.B次元官网网址�
Daly said the league proposed a rule for cut-resistant gear.
B次元官网网址淏ut we clearly understand where the unionB次元官网网址檚 coming from,B次元官网网址� he continued. B次元官网网址淎nd some of the difficulties they have with their constituents. ItB次元官网网址檚 (a) process.B次元官网网址�
A process that could eventually mirror the introduction of other safeguards.
Players entering the league ahead of the 1979-1980 season were mandated to wear helmets. Visors, meanwhile, became compulsory in time for the 2013-14 campaign for anyone with fewer than 25 games of NHL experience.
The league has seen some scary moments involving skate blades. Buffalo Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk survived a cut to his neck in 1989. More recently, Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane suffered a deep cut on his wrist in November 2022.
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki got a look at the latest models of cut-resistant equipment at the recent player media tour.
B次元官网网址淒efinitely a bigger conversation,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut I like to have the freedom of what IB次元官网网址檓 wearing. WeB次元官网网址檙e all professionals and old enough to make our own decisions.B次元官网网址�
Suzuki did point out he wore neck guards in minor hockey and the OHL: B次元官网网址淒idnB次元官网网址檛 really affect anything.B次元官网网址�
So why take it off?
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know,B次元官网网址� he replied. B次元官网网址淚 was just following what everyone else has done.B次元官网网址�
Vegas Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel said players are set in their ways.
B次元官网网址淕uys are pretty committed to whatever theyB次元官网网址檙e using,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou see guys B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檝e had the same shoulder pads or shin pads for 15 years.B次元官网网址�
Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson, poised for his 16th NHL season, sees a day coming when neck protection is mandatory.
B次元官网网址淓verything seems burdensome when itB次元官网网址檚 a change,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut its intention is in the correct place. Time rolls on like anything else B次元官网网址� just becomes normal.B次元官网网址�
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett suffered a skate cut to his ankle when he was younger. He doesnB次元官网网址檛 think NHLers would put up much fuss on neck guards.
B次元官网网址淕uys have just gotten used to not wearing it, myself included,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey know why and the reasoning behind (a potential mandate). It sucks it had to happen the way it did for it to shed some light.B次元官网网址�
Hughes, however, believes the choice should remain with individual players.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e the ones in our gear every day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e the ones that want to keep ourselves safe B次元官网网址� last year was really unfortunate.
B次元官网网址淏ut I think thatB次元官网网址檚 up to the guys.B次元官网网址�
