The English Ice Hockey Association says it is going to be mandatory to put on a neck guard throughout “all on-ice actions” from 2024 onwards.
Johnson died after struggling a critical lower to his neck from a skate throughout Saturday’s Challenge Cup match towards the Sheffield Steelers.
BBC Sport understands Johnson was not sporting a neck guard.
Players in the UK are allowed to play with out neck guards as soon as they flip 18.
The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), which oversees all ranges of ice hockey in the England beneath the Elite League – the highest division of ice hockey in the UK which Johnson performed in – additionally stated their “sturdy suggestion” is that each one gamers put on neck guards with quick impact, to “make sure that a tragic incident of this nature by no means befalls our sport once more”.
It is unclear whether or not the Elite League can even undertake the EIHA’s pointers.
“It is unacceptable for any participant to lose their life whereas enjoying sport,” stated the EIHA.
“Our duty shouldn’t be solely to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but additionally to pre-emptively deal with different foreseeable incidents in the long run.
“We bear each a authorized and an ethical obligation to reply in a measured and pragmatic method. There is a definite chance that complete evaluations will transpire on the worldwide degree, and the EIHA is dedicated to taking an energetic and constructive position in this course of.”
The EIHA stated neck guards aren’t instantly mandatory due to “anticipated provide points”. They additionally stated a full assessment of all participant security tools will happen over the subsequent 12 months.
Scottish Ice Hockey and Ice Hockey UK – which runs the Great Britain nationwide staff – already make neck guards mandatory.
Ice Hockey UK has stated it is going to “lengthen the prevailing International Ice Hockey Federation suggestion, and mandate till additional discover, that each one gamers in any respect ranges throughout the GB consultant groups use an accredited Ice Hockey Neck Guard/Protector while taking part in all on ice actions with GB”.
The physique can even conduct an intensive participant well being, security and wellbeing assessment, including: “It is deeply regrettable that any participant loses their life enjoying our sport, and it’s incumbent upon us because the National Governing Body for the game to do all we will to stop a repeat of this tragic accident, but additionally to stop different foreseeable incidents in the long run.
“We have an ethical and authorized obligation to reply in a measured and cheap method.”
Johnson’s fiancee paid tribute to her “candy angel” on Monday as police continue to investigate his death.
‘Incredible tragedy’
Tributes have continued to be paid to Johnson following the incident with Mike Sullivan, his former coach at NHL staff the Pittsburgh Penguins, saying it’s an “unbelievable tragedy”.
“I do not know if I’ve phrases to clarify the entire circumstance,” he stated.
“He’s a terrific child. It was a privilege to be his coach. I keep in mind when he first got here to our growth camp, that was my first expertise watching him play and boy, may he actually skate.”
Johnson performed in 13 NHL video games over two seasons from 2018-20 with the Penguins and his former teammate and Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby supplied his “ideas and prayers” to Johnson’s household.
“It’s one thing that we have all been fascinated by since discovering out,” Crosby stated.
“He’s only a nice man, nice teammate. An superior angle when he was right here and was simply typically completely satisfied to be enjoying in the NHL. It’s heartbreaking that that is occurred.”
Neck guard stigma ‘wants to change’
Attitudes in the direction of neck guards in ice hockey “want to change” following Johnson’s death, in accordance to Great Britain worldwide Abbie Culshaw.
Before the EIHA announcement, English third-tier facet Oxford City Stars stated they might make neck safety mandatory for his or her gamers and workers.
“They’re thought of annoying and in case you’ve acquired a neck guard you are still seen as like a junior,” Culshaw – additionally a ahead for Whitley Bay and the Bradford Bulldogs – stated.
Asked by BBC Newsbeat concerning the stigma of sporting neck safety, she added gamers would “wind up” or “name out” others for sporting a guard, and “belittle” them.
“Some individuals do put on them for their very own security however the majority of individuals do not if they do not have to,” she stated.
“It does bug you and it irritates your neck. So as quickly as individuals are 18 they can not wait to eliminate it. I hope for everybody’s sake that what has occurred has modified what individuals assume.
“Then it simply turns into this frequent factor, that individuals have them on and it isn’t seen as like a segregation from the lads to the juniors. I hope it does change as a result of it wants to.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Oxford City Stars director of hockey operations Shane Moore stated: “When you come to 18 there is a stigma round sporting your neck guard and face cage, it is virtually like to be a person you’ve got to take away these.
“It’s not the appropriate method to be, participant security should come first.
“The skates are sharp and that is why the neck guards are so essential.”
What are the foundations on neck guards world wide?
Compulsory guards are already in place in the likes of Finland and Sweden, whereas Germany’s prime flight, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, can also be reportedly considering their introduction for the brand new season.
USA Hockey has additionally previously recommended their blanket use due to considerations about “neck lacerations and the potential catastrophic involvement of arteries, veins and nerves”.
However, present rules imply they don’t seem to be compulsory throughout all leagues.
Oxford City Stars, who’ve former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on their roster and compete in the National Ice Hockey League South Division One, hope their announcement will push “for enhanced security requirements throughout the game”.
In a press release they added: “We encourage different golf equipment to additionally supply these neck guards to their gamers. At our degree of play, we strongly consider that these guards ought to be worn by all gamers.”
Analysis – ought to neck guards be compulsory?
Ice hockey commentator Seth Bennett, talking on BBC Radio 5 Live
It was only a second that has left the game globally devastated. It was an incident that you simply hope you by no means ever have to see.
Ice hockey is a really large household sport and there’ll be loads of children asking loads of questions and making an attempt to come to phrases with what they noticed on Saturday night.
I feel there’ll be a dialog at league degree however they’re ruled by the worldwide Ice Hockey Federation and so they haven’t made nice strikes to enhance security in this explicit side as a result of it occurs so very not often.
At 18 gamers ditch their neck guards and full face masks and go to sporting half visors and while you sit right here after such an terrible occasion, you shrug your shoulders and say ‘why?’.
But in case you put it down to a gamers vote proper no longer very many would be voting to put on a neck guard in their subsequent recreation.
