After tragic death of player, hockey world wrestles with mandating neck guards

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kevin McKernan didn’t even know he’d been hurt. He didn’t really even feel it.

The Iowa Heartlanders defenseman was playing youth hockey when an opponent’s skate came in contact with his leg. It was right around the top of his knee, above his shin pad.

“A couple of my buddies told me,” McKernan said. “I looked down, and I was covered in blood.”

A trip to the hospital ensued, where he was given four or five stitches to close his wound. Skates are that sharp, can lacerate you deep and in an instant, can be that dangerous.

American player Adam Johnson had his throat slashed by a wayward skate from an opposing player in a professional game Oct. 28 in England and died. The opposing player, Matt Petgrave, has been charged with manslaughter in Johnson’s death.

Video of the incident showed Petgrave kicking his leg back and making contact with Johnson, who played college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth and who had played a few games in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was 29 years old.

“The situation that happened was just incredibly tragic,” McKernan said. “To see that happen on such a big stage, I guess, brought it to the world that something needs to change. You just never like to see that happen. The families and those around him that were affected, we’ve got guys on our team who knew him personally that were affected. Even those who didn’t know him were truly shocked.”

In wake of the tragedy, McKernan and Heartlanders teammates Odeen Tufto and Landon Kosior have decided to wear a protective plastic neck guard now when they play. McKernan say they fit perfectly into an Under Armour shirt they wear and are barely noticeable.

“I don’t know,” McKernan said. “Having a wife at home, a kid on the way, family members, I don’t want to see that happen. I had conversations with guys ... It’s just a lot better to be wearing it than not wearing it after everything that happened.”

Thus far, the ECHL, NHL and AHL (the three top pro leagues in North America) have not mandated players wear neck guards, with the exception of the Penguins, who are having all of their minor leaguers wear them and wrist guards for protection. The labor contract between players and owners prevent a mandate.

“I’m in support if we mandate it. I’m totally for it,” Heartlanders Coach Derek Damon said. “I wore a neck guard when I played in Finland. It was mandatory. I think this incident, in particular, I don’t think a neck guard would have prevented that injury because it was such a violent kick.

“But I do think if we can wear shirts with collars that are cut resistant, why not? We’re mandated to have wrist cut guards and socks. Anyway we can protect the players, their safety is number one for me.”

USA Hockey, the governing body of the sport in this country, recently posted a letter on its website saying it encourages the use of neck guards for everyone. Yet it too has yet to set any sort of mandate at any level.

The junior United States Hockey League continues to discuss the issue, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Coach/General Manager Mark Carlson said, and he said he wouldn’t be terribly surprised if a mandate eventually comes forth.

“I know that all of USA Hockey is discussing it,” he said. “I think it’s hard to say what will happen. I certain support it. I have always supported it. I just think it makes sense. I think it’s a precaution that we should take.”

Attending a RoughRiders practice this week, you noticed no players were wearing neck guards. That doesn’t mean they haven’t been discussed.

You can bet most of, if not all of Cedar Rapids’ players have seen video of the Johnson accident.

“It’s sad, such an unfortunate circumstance how that play worked out,” said RoughRiders forward Isaac Johnson. “I know some leagues have already talked about it. USA Hockey, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes mandated. I know it hasn’t yet because I don’t think there are enough supplies for it. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes mandated some day.”

As Johnson said, demand far outweights supply when it comes to neck laceration guards. They are very difficult to find right now.

McKernan said he had family members get online shortly after the Johnson situation and were fortunate enough to find him one.

“I think they should be your choice,” said RoughRiders defenseman Zack Sharp. “I think it should be your choice if you want to wear one. If you don’t want to wear one, I don’t think they should require it at this age. I think we’re old enough to make our own decisions. It’s our body, and I think we’re old enough to make our own decisions on that.

“But if the league wants us to wear one, I’ll be happy to wear one.”

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