Jack Hughes, the dynamic young star of the New Jersey Devils, is always looking for any possible advantage in the high-stakes world of professional hockey. Every night, he hits the ice with one goal in mind: to come out on top in a game where the margins are razor-thin.
For Hughes, feeling good on the ice is crucial. But with safety being a top priority in the NHL following a tragic incident in England where a player lost his life due to a skate cut to the neck, the conversation around cut-resistant gear has become more important than ever.
When asked how much cut-resistant gear he wears under his equipment, Hughes admitted, “Not nearly enough. Gotta be comfortable.” It’s a choice he wants to have the freedom to make for himself.
But that choice may soon be taken out of players’ hands. The American Hockey League, the NHL’s top development league, has made cut-resistant neck protection mandatory for all players hitting the ice this season. This decision comes on the heels of the mandate for cut-resistant socks and wrist sleeves ahead of the 2023-24 AHL campaign.
While the NHL has yet to implement a similar rule, deputy commissioner Bill Daly is hopeful that it will happen in the future. “I think we’re moving in that direction,” Daly stated, noting that the vast majority of players currently opt to wear cut-resistant socks.
As the conversation around safety in hockey continues to evolve, it’s clear that the league is taking steps to protect its players and ensure a safer environment on the ice. And while players like Hughes may have their preferences, the push for increased safety measures is a welcome change for the future of the sport.
