Hockey players across U.S. pushing for neck-guard requirements on the ice
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Ice hockey players across the country are leaving their equipment outside in honor of a high school hockey player who died after accidentally being cut by another player's skate. This, along with the hashtag "Sticks Out for Teddy" trending online, is part of a push to protect hockey players.
On January 6, 10th grader Teddy Balkind of Connecticut died from an injury sustained during a junior-varsity hockey game. He fell to the ice and his neck was inadvertently cut by another player’s skate. The other player was unable to stop in time. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident.
A petition online started by one of Balkind's friends is calling for neck laceration protection to be a requirement on the ice.
Unlike mouth guards, neck-guards are not required in all hockey leagues across the U.S. Some leagues only suggest them to players, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
While many coaches acknowledge that injuries like the one Balkind suffered are extremely rare, they welcome new safety precautions.
"If they are uncomfortable or not convenient for players to wear, how can we redesign them so that they're more likely to be worn?" asks youth hockey coach Michael Cook.
In some parts of the country, neck-guards are beginning to sell out.
However, at Centre Ice Hockey in Colorado Springs, Derek Phillips says neck-guards are in stock. He explained there's a variety of ways to wear them.
"These type of things will be great to have just to be able to get that protection," said Phillips.
Phillips plays hockey and says he'd wear one now because you never know "what can happen out there."
Neck guards are generally made of high-impact plastic, such as Lexan or Kevlar, which is thin and near bullet-proof material, or ballistic nylon designed to resist cuts. They are lightweight and cover most of the neck, attaching with velcro in the back.
Phillps says most neck-guards sold at Centre Ice Hockey have kevlar.
Officials have yet to say whether or not Balkind was wearing a neck-guard.
