WATCH: Natick boys hockey downs Milton behind Sam Hubbard’s 2 goals
The Natick boys hockey team took down Milton 3-1 on Wednesday at Chase Arena. Junior Sam Hubbard scored twice for the Redhawks.
The region’s ice hockey coaches and athletic directors reacted positively to USA Hockey’s mandate that all players under 18 wear neck laceration protection, effective Aug. 1. While the decision does not affect schools within the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association – which is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) – the idea has its supporters.
Neck protection is a key discussion topic after former NHL player Adam Johnson died in an English elite game after his neck was cut by an opponent’s skate blade in October. Current NHL players Rasmus Dahlin, TJ Oshie and members of the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins – Johnson’s former team – began wearing neck guards in the immediate aftermath of Johnson’s death.
The death of Connecticut player Teddy Balkind in 2022 – the result of a skate blade to the neck – is another reminder of player safety.
While few are seen at local high school games, the popularity of neck guards will take some time to grow.
“I am in full support of making neck guards mandatory,” said Franklin boys coach Chris Spillane. “After the several horrific injuries, I think it will become a common piece of equipment. Once the youth players start, we will see a continuation at the high school level down the road.”
“Starting this mandate through USA Hockey will make it easier for players to adjust to wearing the neck protection,” added Marlborough boys coach Mike O’Brien. “Over time, this will just become a part of the players’ equipment.”
To O’Brien’s point, any change to rules – or players’ attitudes toward neck gear – will take time.
Framingham High athletic director Paul Spear, who sits on the MIAA’s Hockey Committee, which met virtually on Tuesday morning, said before the meeting the idea of adopting a new rule is worth exploring.
“No one likes change, however, given what’s happened, my feeling is we should be taking a long hard look at it,” Spear, a former hockey coach at Framingham, said in a text.
Mike Nanartowich, Hudson’s boys coach for more than 30 years, backed the idea.
“I’m surprised the MIAA did not mandate them after (Johnson’s) injury,” he said. “I’m in full support of them.”
MIAA tables discussion of…
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