Some Ottawa Senators players don neck guards Saturday
Some Ottawa Senators players will be wearing neck guards when the puck drops at the Canadian Tire Centre Saturday night.
The Sens are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the morning skate, forwards Claude Giroux and Josh Norris were wearing black neck guards.
"I just wanted to try it out," Giroux told reporters. "It doesn't feel any different, so I'm going to try it tonight and it's just a decision I decided to do."
Norris said he wore a neck guard when he was younger and he felt comfortable with it on Saturday.
"I was really comfortable, honestly. I didn't really notice it much, maybe for the first few minutes of the skate, but no, I feel good," he said.
The death of former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson in England has reignited conversations around neck guards in the NHL. Johnson died after a skate blade cut his neck in a game last week. In response, the English Ice Hockey Association will require all players in England to wear neck guards starting Jan. 1, 2024.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Friday that Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is going to make neck guards mandatory for men's hockey. The Western Hockey League has also mandated neck guards. A neck guard mandate is already in place for the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
Norris said he had been thinking about wearing a neck guard since Johnson's death.
"I've definitely thought about it. Obviously, a very sad situation that unfolded there, so, for sure something that I thought about and wanted to give it a try," he said.
Grioux said he spoke with his family about it and decided to try wearing a neck guard.
"I'm sure some guys are going to try it, some won't. I don't think it should be mandatory, but it's a decision that every player should think if they want to do it or not."
Neck guards are not mandatory in the NHL. Players are also not required to wear cut protection on the wrists or the backs of their legs.
The Senators have encountered injuries related to skate cuts before. In 2013, Erik Karlsson was slashed by a skate blade that serious damaged his Achilles tendon, requiring surgery.
The move by Giroux and Norris also follows other NHL players, Karlsson among them, choosing to wear neck guards this week.
Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie appeared on the ice with a neck guard in Thursday's game against the Islanders. Oshie told reporters he made the choice for his kids and to show younger players it doesn't distract from the game. Oshie owns a hockey equipment company and said that he also wanted to show players that cut-resistant equipment is available.
--With files from TSN.ca and The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.