You never think that the worst thing will happen until it actually does. That was the case for 29 year old, Adam Johnson, a former NHL player who tragically lost his life on Saturday, October 28th while playing in his EIHL game with the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers when he took a skate to the throat on the ice.

Johnson, 29, was drafted to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL in 2019 and spent one season with the organization. Throughout his time as a penguin, he played 6 games and had two assists and 1 goal before being sent down to the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins, the AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his AHL career, he played a total of 3 seasons with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2017-202) but, he was then traded to play for the AHL Ontario Reign where he played 1 season with the organization (2021-2022). Before being drafted to the Penguins, Johnson was a student athlete at the University of Minnesota (2016-2018) where he would soon go on to be an athlete in the NHL.

Adam Johnson was the recipient of the skate blade to the throat when he collided with a player on the Sheffield Steelers, Matt Petgrave. When the two players hit the ice, the skate of Petgrave went up and cut Johnson’s throat causing him to lose a large amount of blood on the ice. Fans described the event as horrific and terrifying. Fans in the stadium were crying and passing out due to the sight that laid upon the ice. The stadium was then evacuated and the game was canceled. This all happened at the 35 minute mark in the game.

A Tahoma High School Sophomore, Avery Ehrhart, has been playing hockey for about 3 ½ years and she currently plays with the Seattle Junior Redhawks. Following the tragic death of Adam Johnson, Ehrhart says that the incident means that the sport of hockey is super dangerous. “The death of Adam Johnson mens to me that hockey can be super dangerous. And it really is a tragedy that this even happened, but we can move forward and play safer.” When asked about the impact Johnson’s death will have on the hockey community, Ehrhart says that it will “encourage more players to wear neck protection”. Ehrhart travels frequently to Canada with her team and says that she does wear a neck guard since it is required in Canada but she also wears it during practices.

Following Adam Johnson’s death, there has been a high demand for neck guards nationwide. Currently, neck guards are not required in the NHL but, they are required in Canada. Leagues such as the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) and the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) have required neck guards since 2008. Now, leagues such at the WHL (Western Hockey League) and the EIHL (Elite League) have now mandated neck guards for all players.

A Tahoma High School senior, Lynn Feighner, played hockey for 4 years. During her career, she played 3 seasons with EIHA (England Ice Hockey Association), and one year for the Seattle Junior Lady Admirals. When asked about the impact of Johnson’s death on the community, she says it was shocking but, ultimately it brought the hockey community together. “I definitely think Johnson’s death will affect the hockey community heavily, I feel like he’s one of the most famous players that have played here in the states and in Europe. It’s been really cool to see hockey fans from all around the world come together to support the sport and the community.” Similarly to Ehrhart’s response, Feighner doesn’t think neck guards should be required but, they should be a choice if the athlete prefers to wear them. “No I don’t think neck guards should be required, I think players should be able to wear them if they prefer.”

Throughout the endless debates on if neck guards should be required, there is no definite answer. Some leagues have already taken action to require them, leagues such as the NCAA, AHL, and ECHL still don’t require neck guards. Since the tragedy, hockey stores have been experiencing shortages of neck guards. More and more youth hockey teams are mandating that their players need to wear neck guards but, with such a high demand for them it seems impossible to get them, even online. Neck guards may be uncomfortable and may take time to adjust to but, wearing one is significantly more comfortable than a skate blade to the throat.