The Safety of Ice Hockey: Assessing Its Risks Following the Tragic Loss of Player Adam Johnson

The recent death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has reignited discussions about the safety of the sport and how players can be better protected. Johnson, a player for the Nottingham Panthers, was tragically killed when he was cut in the neck by a skate blade during a game in Sheffield, UK. This incident has been described as a "freak accident" by the team. While fatal injuries on the ice are rare, this is not the first incident. In January 2022, 10th-grade hockey player Teddy Balkind died after falling on the ice and being cut on the neck by another player's skate blade. In 1989, Clint Malarchuk, a goaltender for the Buffalo Sabers, also experienced a similar cut to the neck but miraculously survived. Another player, Richard Zednick of the Florida Panthers, suffered a life-threatening cut in 2008 but survived. Nicole Chimera, an associate professor of kinesiology at Brock University, states that the skate blade poses the greatest risk of catastrophic injury in ice hockey. Unlike other contact sports like American football or rugby, ice hockey carries a unique danger because of this. Some have called for mandatory neck guards to be worn during games to minimize the risk of being cut. The Ontario Hockey Association made it mandatory for its players to wear neck guards in 2010 after a player's throat was slashed by a skate blade. However, neck guards are not required in many leagues, including the NHL. The tragic death of Adam Johnson has prompted the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) to announce that wearing a neck guard will be mandatory during all on-ice activities from 2024 onwards. Players aged over 18 were previously allowed to play without them in the UK. The Elite League, where Johnson played, has not made a similar move, and some have spoken out against neck guards due to a perceived stigma. Skate blade injuries can be catastrophic, but ice hockey also carries the risk of serious spinal cord and brain injuries, which can be fatal. A 2020 US study found that ice hockey players are three times more likely to experience a cervical spine injury than American football players. Most of these injuries occur during competition rather than practice, due to the game's intensity. The risk of injury in ice hockey is increasing as players become bigger, heavier, and faster. While ice hockey can lead to serious injuries, it ranks below sports like American football, soccer, and basketball in terms of the overall injury rate. Professor Chimera emphasizes the positive aspects of sports, such as physical activity and social benefits. However, she highlights the importance of recognizing the potential for serious injury and finding ways to address it, including potential rule changes to better protect athletes.