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On 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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