DEB introduces neck protection obligation from 2024/25 season
Following the accidental death of professional Adam Johnson, the German Ice Hockey Federation will make neck protection mandatory from the 2024/25 season.
Until then, according to the association's announcement, it is only "recommended" to wear the protection from now on, also due to availability. "This should ensure that possible supply bottlenecks are avoided," said DEB Sports Director Christian Künast. The DEB anticipates a high demand for protective equipment in the coming months.
Clear guidelines
There will be clear guidelines for neck protection. For example, it must be ISO-certified. The cut-resistant model over the neck and throat must also be made of Kevlar fibers. Some national team players already wore the protection at last week's Germany Cup.
Neck protection will be mandatory in the German Ice Hockey League from January 1, 2024. World Hockey Association President Luc Tardif announced last week that ice hockey players "should be safe" during the World Championship in the Czech Republic next May at the latest. An obligation is to be integrated into the rules by then. In the youth sector, neck protection has already been mandatory in all age groups for several years.
Former Augsburg DEL professional Johnson was killed at the end of October during a game between his Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers when his neck was cut by a skate blade.
In light of the tragic incident involving professional ice hockey player Adam Johnson, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) recommends the use of neck protection from now until the 2024/25 season, due to both the requirement for certification and potential supply issues. With the forthcoming 2024/25 season, DEB will make neck protection obligatory, ensuring that all players comply with the clear guidelines, including the use of ISO-certified equipment made of Kevlar fibers.
Source: www.dpa.com
