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

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

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UPDATE: CJHL makes neck guards mandatory across nine leagues

Nov 2, 2023 | 4:11 PM

UPDATE – Nov. 3, 2023

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) says 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, Nov. 2 it was going to consider mandatory neck guards at its Nov. 14 semi-AGM, but instead expedited the decision and announced it Nov. 3.

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

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–original story below–

T.J. Oshie taking warmups wearing a @WarroadHockeyCo neck guard. pic.twitter.com/LL1KysEOUO

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2023

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ORIGINAL – Nov. 2, 2023

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), comprised of nine Junior ‘A’ leagues across Canada, says Thursday it is exploring making neck protection mandatory across all of its member leagues.

That includes the Alberta Junior Hockey League, whose members include the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Olds Grizzlys, Whitecourt Wolverines and Drayton Valley Thunder in central Alberta.

They are already mandatory in five of its leagues, all of which are in eastern Canada, akin to how the OHL and QMJHL already had neck guard requirements prior to the death of pro hockey player Adam Johnson last week.

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

“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 says 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).

READ MORE

• WHL mandates neck guards after death of Adam Johnson, Rebels GM Sutter speaks
• Wickenheiser calls for neck protection at ‘every level’ after Johnson’s death