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| Yes | 64% | 98 votes | Total: 153 votes | |
| No | 36% | 55 votes |
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Add to FavoritesOn February 10, 2008, Richard Zednik had his carotid artery cut by a skate blade. The scene couldn't have been a more horrifying experience for fans, coaches and players. They all watched the blood gushing from Zednik's neck as he skated toward his bench. The terrified expression on Zednik's face was matched by all those in attendance. These are situations when we always fear the worst case scenario while quietly praying for the best. In the end, Mr. Zednik had luck on his side; he would survive what could've been certain death. The problem for the NHL is that the next player may not be as lucky. The issue is the NHL refuses to mandate and enforce the use of what should be mandatory safety equipment. The surprising aspect is that the players don't seem to care that they are at risk for preventable injuries.
This incident should teach the league and its players a valuable lesson about playing a game versus risking a life. The NHL needs to be accountable for the safety of its players to avoid another near death experience. The sad truth is that the league will have a difficult time convincing its players to accept any equipment changes even if it is in their best interest. The problem is that the players even after this incident still refuse to see any benefit from wearing protective neck guards. Most players claim neck guards don't provide enough necessary safety to deal with the uncomfortable feeling of wearing them. The reality for the NHL is that the players are correct on both of those arguments.
The question of player safety is still the main issue and will continue to be a problem until it is properly handled. Can the NHL and its players accept necessary change and work together to find a solution? The history of the NHL says both sides unfortunately will refuse to address this situation until a player meets death.
The short-term solution is for the NHL to force its players to wear some kind of protective neck guard. The NHL needs to enforce this change by fining those that refuse to wear them. This would be a simple yet effective way to open communication between the league and its players toward finding a more permanent solution. That solution should include the NHL and its players working together with equipment companies to produce safe, durable, and comfortable neck guards. The NHL and its players have a serious issue to deal with and how well they work together to find a solution could mean the difference between life and death.
Learn more about this author, Daniel Reinard.
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No
Hockey can be a beautiful and graceful sport and can be beautiful to watch. The skating, the passes and the goaltending (among other things) can be beautiful to watch but no one talks of hockey in those terms. They talk of fights and scrums and all the nastiness that does happen in the game. One of the things that does happen are injuries.
It wasn't that long ago that helmets were optional. Since the introduction of mandatory helmet wearing the incidence of high-sticking has jumped dramatically. There seems to be a big lack of respect on the ice for other players and that begins at the head. When there is a new piece of safety equipment that is made mandatory it seems players then target that area because of the protection.
The recent event of neck slicing, for lack of a better name, was both tragic and extremely lucky. Anytime an accident occurs like this happens it is a tragedy, whether or not the person dies.
Neck injuries are one of the more rare injuries in hockey. It has been 20 years since the last injury of neck slicing. Buffalo Sabers goaltender Clint Malarchuk ended up in such a position that the blade from a St. Louis Blues player sliced his neck. Malarchuk survived and returned to the game but, unfortunately, he was never the same goaltender.
Regardles s of the blood that these 2 guys have shed, neck guard should not be made mandatory for NHLers. Anyone under the age of 18 should have to wear one simply because they are deemed too young to make some decisions for themselves and need adults to provide rules to help keep them safe.
As adults Nhlers should not be forced to wear the neck protectors unless they chose to. The fact is nothing short of a suit of armor can protect players from every ill that can befall them. Just as we don't bubble wrap our children from all of life's ill, while we may want to it is ultimately impractical.
As with helmets, the use of neck guards might, over time, cause some more sloppy play by NHLers and the neck, like the head might become more of a target.
There will always be the chance that sticks might end up slashing more throats, the penalty not the cut, and that could be dangerous. Even if that doesn't happen, the fact remains that every National Hockey League player is over the age of 18. As mentioned earlier, they are all adults and can make safety decisions for themselves.
Learn more about this author, R.A. Scott.
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