The NHL will implement mandatory neck guards for all new players beginning in the 2026-27 season, as part of the collective bargaining agreement. This decision is spurred by heightened safety concerns following the tragic death of Adam Johnson due to a skate cut. While many players, including TJ Oshie, advocate for neck protection, a significant portion of the league remains resistant, with 78% opposing a mandate. Existing players before the deadline will be grandfathered, following similar past safety implementations in the league.
Neck guards will be mandatory for all new players entering in 2026-27 and beyond. Players with one game played prior to 2026-27 will be grandfathered in and not mandatory.
Neck guards have become increasingly commonplace since the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, who suffered a fatal skate cut to his neck in 2023.
78 percent of players in a 2023 poll from the Athletic were opposed to a mandate, and just 55 NHL players wore neck guards as of last fall.
TJ Oshie stated, 'We're grown men. If you don't want to do it... I don't think it's necessary to mandate it.'
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