Hockey team changes rule after player Adam Johnson is killed during throat slashing incident
A UK ice hockey team has introduced additional regulations following the death of a player during a match.
Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson died following a collision during a match against the Sheffield Steelers, in which he sustained a fatal injury to his throat.
The incident occurred in front of thousands of fans at Sheffield's Utilita Arena on 28 October.
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A man has since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Johnson's death.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police told The Yorkshire Post: “Detectives have today (Tuesday 14 November) arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in police custody at this time.
"On Saturday 28 October, Adam, aged 29, was seriously injured during a game between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers and was sadly later pronounced deceased in hospital.
"A post-mortem examination confirmed he died as a result of a fatal neck injury.”
Now, club Oxford City Stars has announced a new safety regulation in light of the tragic incident.
In a statement a spokesperson for the club said: “Player Safety First. In the wake of the tragic incident involving Adam Johnson, who sadly lost his life in a freak in-game accident, Oxford City Stars is advancing its commitment to enhance player safety.
"The club is proud to announce the introduction of mandatory neck guards for all players and coaching staff.
"The club has ordered and is now awaiting delivery of neck guards for all players and coaches. Once received, these guards will be utilised during all on-ice activities going forward."
This comes after the coroner investigating Johnson's death called for neck guards to be worn in all ice hockey games going forwards to prevent future tragedies.
Sheffield's senior coroner Tanyka Rawden said in a letter to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association: "The International Ice Hockey Federation recommends that neck guards or protectors are worn, but there is no requirement for ice hockey players over the age of 18 to wear equipment designed to protect the neck.
"In due course the inquest will consider whether the use of a neck guard or protector could have prevented Mr Johnson’s death. At this stage in my investigation however, I am sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn."
Following Johnson's death, the English Ice Hockey Association announced that neck guards would become mandatory by 2024.
The Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers, however, fall under the governance of the Elite Ice Hockey League, which is comprised of ten teams and is the most senior level of play in the UK.
It has said that it will not make neck guards mandatory, but will strongly encourage players and officials to wear them.
Kit Roberts