The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) announced today that it will require all players to wear mandatory neck protection when participating in any on-ice team activity, including games and practices.

While this policy takes effect immediately, the timeline to obtain a suitable quantity of neck protectors for the KIJHL’s approximately 500 players is not presently known.

Consideration will be given to teams and athletes in situations where the demand for neck protectors cannot be immediately met, and the KIJHL will work with its member clubs to assist in instances where local availability is exhausted.

The move follows last weekend’s fatality accident in England where former NHL player Adam Johnson had his neck sliced by a skate blade during an Elite Ice Hockey League game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

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