Tucson Roadrunners support neck guard requirement after fatal incident on the ice

After a fatal incident across the pond last season, the American Hockey League mandated the use of neck guards, a move the Tucson Roadrunners said they support.

In August, the AHL’s Board of Governors unanimously approved making “cut-resistant neck protection” mandatory for its players and on-ice officials starting this season. Last season, cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves became a requirement.

“I think it affects them positively,” said Tucson head coach Steve Potvin. “I think it’s just one thing to kind of eliminate from their checklists of fears.

“I mean, this game is fast, it can be pretty intense at times and unpredictable and I think it’s nice to be able to go into the games with security.”

The move came after former AHL player Adam Johnson suffered a fatal neck wound in October 2023 while playing in the UK. Johnson previously played with Tucson goalie Matthew Villalta with the Ontario Reign in 2021-22.

“Unbelievable guy,” Villalta said. “I got to play with him for a year, maybe a year and change in Ontario a couple of years back and he was awesome, obviously what happened to him, it’s sad, it’s unfortunate, you never think that’s ever gonna happen out there and now I think the neck guards and guys wearing them here, it’s the right thing.”

The Roadrunners (16-10) return to action on Saturday when they host the Colorado Eagles (14-8-1-2) for a two-game set.

Tucson captain Austin Poganski said the neck guards are a little different at first, but they got used to them and it’s “just be another piece of equipment.”

“It’s definitely different,” the right wing said. “A lot of guys probably never have worn them before but I think it’s for a good cause. I think it’s horrible what happened with Johnson over there and overseas there but it’s gonna be a little bit to get used to. But I think at the end of the day, if it’s keeping us safe as players we’ll do whatever it takes.”

NHL players who have declined to wear a neck guard cited comfort and how warm they can be, but it can also be comforting.

“Yeah, I think the idea of having the neck guard there definitely makes you feel a little bit more at ease,” Poganski said, “but fluke things happen all the time, so it’s horrible what happened and I think it’s a good step for American league to take those precautions.”

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While playing for the Sheffield Steelers, defenseman Matt Petgrave’s skate cut Johnson, fatally injuring the 29-year-old.

Johnson’s last team, the Nottingham Panthers, retired his jersey earlier this month.

Earlier this week, the AP reported that Petgrave has raised nearly 10,000 pounds ($12,500) to pay for his legal fees through the crowdfunding site CrowdJustice as he said he has been unable to play since his UK visa has expired. Petgrave has not been charged, but South Yorkshire Police have re-bailed an unidentified man on suspicion of manslaughter multiple times, most recently in November.

For the NHL to require neck guards it would need approval from the union.

Rather than grandfather some players in, the AHL decided to require it for all players. When the NHL mandated helmets in 1979-80, they grandfathered players in who entered the league before and Craig MacTavish became the last NHL player to go helmet-less in 1997.

“I think nowadays some guys just try to look cool out there and maybe not wearing a neck guard to them is cool, but in a day you never know what’s gonna happen on the ice and you never know when your last day is gonna be ultimately,” Villalta said. “I guess we can learn from it and I think the safety precautions being put in place are good and I’m sure as life goes on and all these many years have come for upcoming hockey players, us, there’s gonna be incidents. Hate to see it, hate to say it, but I mean scary stuff like that, but it’s probably gonna happen again and I hate to say that obviously, but it’s just the reality of it and, you know, sharp blades on the ice. So, I think it’s great that the league’s put in all these safety measures to keep us safe, as safe as possible at least.”

Slapshots

• The Roadrunners have won six in a row and eight of their last 10 overall, and have also won their last four and seven of their last eight at home.
• Saturday’s game is Star Wars Night, and the Roadrunners are giving away lightsabers while supplies last.
• The Colorado Eagles are the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Before the hockey game on Saturday, Colorado State will play Miami (Ohio) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, so there may be more fans from the Centennial State than usual at the TCC.
• Tucson and the Eagles split a two-game series earlier this year in Colorado. Last year, the Roadrunners went 3-1 against the Eagles.