Ice hockey can be a dangerous sport but one of the risks is somewhat preventable.
Flyers defensemen Travis Sanheim, who has a good chance of playing for Team Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, is glad the International Ice Hockey Federation has made neck protection mandatory for the upcoming Games in February.
Sanheim and a number of other NHL players have been outspoken in their support of neck guards, particularly after Nottinghan Panthers forward Adam Johnson died after being struck in the neck by an opponent’s skate in October, 2023.
The American Hockey League, which includes Flyers affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, has already made neck guards the rule for all its players.
It’s Sanheim’s hope that the National Hockey League will follow suit sometime in the future.
As we move into 2026, it sounds like that day may be coming sooner than later.
“I think that anyone who can advocate the use of it, it’s going to help a lot of guys,” Sanheim said during a recent interview at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. “We’re trending in that direction.
“It’s probably taken a longer time than I thought it would. But I think the more guys that talk about it and get on board with it, then it’s going to push other guys to use it. Hopefully someday we will see everyone use it.”
Johnson was killed when his neck was struck by an errant skate blade. The Minnesota native, who played briefly for the LV Phantoms in 2021-22, had a 13-game trial with the Pittsburgh Penguins early in his career and that’s part of why a lot of professional players are paying attention.
But it’s not just skate blades that pose a risk. The front of the neck is particularly vulnerable to errant high sticks and pucks which are deflected upward off hard shots.
Neck guards can neutralize those sorts of mishaps.
“There’s some layers of protection there,” Sanheim pointed out. “Some cushioning in there. I haven’t taken one (puck or stick) off of there but I’m sure there’s definitely some protection with that.”
The Flyers’ Travis Konecny is another player who has been wearing a neck guard for multiple years. Others have considered using one in practice but only one or two, such as ex-Flyer Cam Atkinson, have actually used the product in game action.
Flyers defensemen Travis Sanheim, who has a good chance of playing for Team Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, is glad the International Ice Hockey Federation has made neck protection mandatory for the upcoming Games in February.
Sanheim and a number of other NHL players have been outspoken in their support of neck guards, particularly after Nottinghan Panthers forward Adam Johnson died after being struck in the neck by an opponent’s skate in October, 2023.
The American Hockey League, which includes Flyers affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, has already made neck guards the rule for all its players.
It’s Sanheim’s hope that the National Hockey League will follow suit sometime in the future.
As we move into 2026, it sounds like that day may be coming sooner than later.
“I think that anyone who can advocate the use of it, it’s going to help a lot of guys,” Sanheim said during a recent interview at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. “We’re trending in that direction.
“It’s probably taken a longer time than I thought it would. But I think the more guys that talk about it and get on board with it, then it’s going to push other guys to use it. Hopefully someday we will see everyone use it.”
Johnson was killed when his neck was struck by an errant skate blade. The Minnesota native, who played briefly for the LV Phantoms in 2021-22, had a 13-game trial with the Pittsburgh Penguins early in his career and that’s part of why a lot of professional players are paying attention.
But it’s not just skate blades that pose a risk. The front of the neck is particularly vulnerable to errant high sticks and pucks which are deflected upward off hard shots.
Neck guards can neutralize those sorts of mishaps.
“There’s some layers of protection there,” Sanheim pointed out. “Some cushioning in there. I haven’t taken one (puck or stick) off of there but I’m sure there’s definitely some protection with that.”
The Flyers’ Travis Konecny is another player who has been wearing a neck guard for multiple years. Others have considered using one in practice but only one or two, such as ex-Flyer Cam Atkinson, have actually used the product in game action.
Some of the top brands include: Hikeen (worn by Sanheim), Winnwell, CCM, Bauer and Shock Doctor.
At least one other ex-NHL player, former Washington Capital star T.J. Oshie, has been trying to get the word out the way Sanheim has.
On the Flyers, it comes down to getting the information out, just as it was when helmets were introduced to the NHL and later, eye visors.
Some are advocates of “grandfathering” in the equipment, in other words, start making neck guards mandatory for all 18- or 19-year-olds just getting started in NHL.
“I think the questions that we get are more within our team, within our players,” Sanheim said. “Asking questions like what do we like, what’s the comfort level.
“I just tell them that they might feel it for a week. But after that it’s just like wearing anything else.”
The NHL made eye visors mandatory back in 2013-14 with a rule similar to what’s being considered for neck guards. Only “new” players coming into the league at the time were obliged to put on the “windshield.”
Yet today, there are still four players – Toronto’s Ryan Reaves, Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly, Minnesota’s Zach Bogosian and Dallas’ Jamie Benn – who still play without eye protection.
“I think the resistance (to neck protection) is coming down,” Sanheim said. “Once they try it out and they realize the comfort level of it isn’t that bad, that’s all it’s going to take.
“It’s not that big a deal to wear one.”>Zegras an Olympian?
At least one other ex-NHL player, former Washington Capital star T.J. Oshie, has been trying to get the word out the way Sanheim has.
On the Flyers, it comes down to getting the information out, just as it was when helmets were introduced to the NHL and later, eye visors.
Some are advocates of “grandfathering” in the equipment, in other words, start making neck guards mandatory for all 18- or 19-year-olds just getting started in NHL.
“I think the questions that we get are more within our team, within our players,” Sanheim said. “Asking questions like what do we like, what’s the comfort level.
“I just tell them that they might feel it for a week. But after that it’s just like wearing anything else.”
The NHL made eye visors mandatory back in 2013-14 with a rule similar to what’s being considered for neck guards. Only “new” players coming into the league at the time were obliged to put on the “windshield.”
Yet today, there are still four players – Toronto’s Ryan Reaves, Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly, Minnesota’s Zach Bogosian and Dallas’ Jamie Benn – who still play without eye protection.
“I think the resistance (to neck protection) is coming down,” Sanheim said. “Once they try it out and they realize the comfort level of it isn’t that bad, that’s all it’s going to take.
“It’s not that big a deal to wear one.”>Zegras an Olympian?
With the Devils’ Jack Hughes injured and not available for the Olympics, there’s been talk of the Flyers’ Trevor Zegras possibly being named as a replacement on Team USA.
Zegras has been lighting it up in the month of December and leads the Flyers in goals with 15. Also, he currently has a career-high nine-game point streak going.
Konecny is another Flyer who has an outside chance of making the Olympics as a member of Team Canada.
Two other Flyers are strong Olympic candidates:
Goaltender Dan Vladar is a shoo-in for Team Czech Republic and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen likewise for Team Finland.
Rosters must be finalized by Wednesday.
Be the first to comment