Ice hockey neck guards mandatory at 2026 Olympics

The International Hockey on ice Federation (IIHF) has made it clear that players will be wearing neck guards for the first time at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Adam Johnson, the forward for the Nottingham Panthers, passed away in October 2023, making the rule change.

During a Elite League game against the Sheffield Steelers, Johnson was fatally struck in the neck by a skate.

Neck guards would be required in all of their competitions, the IIHF announced in December of that year. However, it was not announced when this rule would be implemented.

Neck guards were previously optional in Olympic competitions, but they were not required in other international competitions.

While wearing the guards is required for young international players, some of the best players in the world will experience this in an elite setting.

Despite the fatal incident involving Johnson in their match, the British Elite League has not required them, just as the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America has not yet done so.

Starting in the 2026-27 season, new players must be required to wear guards, according to the NHL, which is regarded as the top league in the world. The protective equipment will not be required for those who already play in the league.

Due to the disruption of the domestic season in 2018 and concerns over coronavirus at Beijing 2022, NHL players will compete in the Milan-Cortina Olympics in 2019. They have not previously participated in the same competition.