IIHF Implements Mandatory Neck Guards for All Levels of Ice Hockey
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced that it will make neck guards mandatory for all levels of competition in the tournaments it runs, including the Olympics and world championships. This decision comes after the death of American player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate blade during a game. The mandate will not apply to professional leagues like the NHL, which would require an agreement between the league and the players' union. The IIHF's move has sparked a debate about the need for more protection in ice hockey, and the exact date for the mandate to go into effect is yet to be determined.
