Ice Hockey After Tragedy: Mannheim Takes a Stand
The German Ice Hockey League (DEL) saw history being made on match day 17, as Adler Mannheim became the first team to don neck protection in a game. This came following the tragic death of former DEL professional Adam Johnson in a collision during a game, leaving many questioning the safety measures in place.
Adler Mannheim, a team marred by injuries, suffered a 2:3 defeat at the hands of Düsseldorf, with Johnson's death casting a somber shadow over the game. Johnson, a 29-year-old American who had played for Augsburg Panthers the previous season, succumbed to his injuries after his neck was slashed open by his opponent's razor-sharp blade.
Nacional team captain Moritz Müller, a defender for Kölner Haie, joined the chorus of voices calling for mandatory neck protection in German ice hockey following the incident. Initially skeptical, Müller now supports the use of neck protectors, believing they safeguard players without altering the game's dynamics.
Meanwhile, in another game, Eisbären Berlin remained atop the table despite a 0:1 defeat on penalties against Cologne. Cologne's national goalkeeper, Tobias Ancicka, put in a standout performance with 48 saves and four successful penalties, sealing the win for the team. Despite their recent string of victories, the Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven continue to trail Berlin by a close margin.
In the aftermath of Johnson's incident, the debate around mandatory neck protection in German ice hockey has gained momentum. Whilst specific regulations in this regard aren't explicitly detailed, the general trend in ice hockey safety regulations, particularly in the USA, offers some insight.
Currently, USA Hockey mandates commercially designed and manufactured neck laceration protectors while no certification requirements exist. However, there's a push for stricter guidelines surrounding the level of protection offered by these protectors, with an upcoming mandate set for August 1, 2024.
With neck protection now entering the fray in DEL games, the question of whether more stringent regulations will follow remains to be seen. The tragic incident has undeniably sparked a conversation about player safety, as teams and leagues alike grapple with the balance between tradition and protection.
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Enrichment Insights: - The USA Hockey's current regulations mandate the use of commercially available, but not certified, neck laceration protectors, while a push for stricter guidelines is underway. - A potential mandate for increased protection standards in neck laceration protectors is expected to come into effect in USA Hockey on August 1, 2024. - The implementation of no-touch icing in Europe stemmed from a fatal on-ice spinal injury incident.
[1] USA Hockey - Safety Information & Resources: [2] Ice hockey: No-touch icing in European ice hockey:
