The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) says it will be mandatory to wear a neck guard during “all on-ice activities” from 2024 onwards.
The announcement comes following the death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson.
Johnson died after suffering a serious cut to his neck from a skate during Saturday’s Challenge Cup match against the Sheffield Steelers.
BBC Sport understands Johnson was not wearing a neck guard
Players in the UK are allowed to play without neck guards once they turn 18.
The EIHA, which oversees all levels of ice hockey in the England below the Elite League – the top division of ice hockey in the UK which Johnson played in – also said their “strong recommendation” is that all players wear neck guards with immediate effect, to “ensure that a tragic incident of this nature never befalls our sport again”.
It is unclear whether the Elite League will also adopt the EIHA’s guidelines.
“It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport,” said the EIHA.
“Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.
“We bear both a legal and a moral obligation to respond in a measured and pragmatic way. There is a distinct likelihood that comprehensive evaluations will transpire at the international level, and the EIHA is committed to taking an active and constructive role in this process.”
The EIHA said neck guards are not immediately mandatory because of “anticipated supply issues”. They also said a full review of all player safety equipment will take place over the next 12 months.
Scottish Ice Hockey and Ice Hockey UK – which runs the Great Britain national team – already make neck guards mandatory.
Johnson’s fiancee paid tribute to her “sweet angel” on Monday as police continue to investigate his death.
