Starting this season, the American Hockey organization will require players to wear cut-resistant neck protection, the organization announced on Friday. The premier NHL affiliate league said that it would now mandate neck guards for all players and on-ice officials. Previously, cut-resistant socks and wrist protectors were necessary. The board of governors of the league unanimously approved the modification. The choice was made in the wake of former NHL player Adam Johnson’s death in October of last year following a strange event during a game in England. Following a collision on the ice, Johnson, 29, sustained a gash on his neck from an opponent’s skate. The product of Minnesota spent six seasons in the AHL in addition to playing 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2018 and 20.
