Neck guards can be seen on players in an October 2023 NOJHL game. (Bob Davies/NOJHL Images)

By Josh Hall

Player Safety

CJHL makes neck guards mandatory across nine leagues

Nov 3, 2023 | 5:39 PM

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) said Friday it is making neck guards mandatory for all 122 member teams across its nine leagues, effective immediately, and subject to equipment availability.

Five of the nine-member leagues, in Quebec and Ontario, already had neck guard requirements prior to the recent death of pro player Adam Johnson.

The CJHL said Thursday it was going to consider mandatory neck guards at its Nov. 14 semi-AGM, but instead expedited the decision and announced it Friday.

On Nov. 2, multiple NHLers, including T.J. Oshie and Erik Karlsson, took to the ice with neck protection.

The WHL announced Wednesday it is making neck guards a requirement, effective immediately.

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“The CJHL board of governors has presently tabled a member’s motion for the mandatory use of certified neck guards as protection for all on-ice activities, which will be brought forward during the CJHL’s semi-annual general meeting, to be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023,” the CJHL said Thursday.

“Additional [CJHL] members are presently in discussions, at their respective league level, to determine additional mandatory neck guard guidelines and procedures prior to the CJHL semi-AGM.”

CJHL leagues already with mandatory neck guard protections have or are in the process of sending directives to their teams and officials to reinforce 100 per cent compliance of their neck guard policy and rules in place.

The five CJHL leagues with pre-existing neck guard mandates are the SIJHL (Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin), NOJHL (Ontario), CCHL (Ontario), OJHL (Ontario) and LJHAAAQ (Quebec).