After the fatal accident of the American Adam Johnson, the DEL put the issue of neck protection for ice hockey players on the agenda.
Two days after Adam Johnson’s death, Stefan Ustorf was still in shock. On Sunday, the former national player said, “It was the first time I was afraid to watch an ice hockey game”.
Neck injury Ice skate blade
Before the game at Red Bull Munich, the Nuremberg sports director also looked at things Ice Tigers initially aimed at the video cube in the Olympic ice rink – at a photo of the deceased former Augsburg DEL professional.
The 29-year-old Johnson was shot at the game on Saturday Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers His neck was slashed by an ice skate blade – he died as a result of the accident.
Neck protection in Junior area required
It’s no wonder that Ustorf, not least, became uneasy: the now 49-year-old also had a razor-sharp blade hit his neck during his time in North America – what could have happened, but only happened to him “conscious two or three days later”. Would he still play today, said Ustorf in an interview with the SID, “then definitely with neck protection”.
In fact, he was there on Monday “looking for opportunities”How accidents like Johnson’s with his Ice Tigers can be prevented. Cut-resistant protection already exists, for example for the wrists or ankles, but also for the neck: the latter is mandatory for youngsters in Germany up to the age of 20.
Decision by the clubs
It is quite possible that neck protection will soon become mandatory in the German Ice Hockey League. The topic is on the agenda for the meeting of the sporting directors of the 14 clubs at the end of November, as game operations manager Jörg van Ameln confirmed to the SID. “We can’t determine that from the office,” he said, “But if all clubs agree, this should be introduced as compulsory equipment” – whether the players want it or not.
Ustorf is “absolutely” certain that he will approve of the players wearing neck protection. So far, investing has been voluntary. The Nuremberg sports director does not expect any objections from the professionals, who are not always comfortable with changes to their equipment: the Plexiglas visor on the helmet has also become established. And now a player has lost his life on the ice. “Now you make that the rule – and that’s it.”he said.
Skids create dangerous situations
There are always spectacular cases in which skids cause serious injuries, and Ustorf has already experienced one. Richard Zednik, his teammate at NHL-Club Florida Panthers, was so badly injured in the neck by a fallen teammate’s skate in February 2008 that he had to be saved by emergency surgery. Even in similar cases, medical staff were on the scene so quickly that the worst could be prevented.
Ustorf believes it is important that well-trained carers or doctors are on site in the rare event that cases arise. He would feel even more comfortable if he could watch an ice hockey game where all the players wore neck protection.