Neck Guards In Hockey

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OUTLINE

Thesis: Although most hockey athletes believe that by wearing required equipment keeps them safe from injury, however I believe that these regulations should be stricter because of the severity of recent and past injuries.

Introduction: Are equipment regulations enough to keep our hockey athletes safe?

I. Injuries

a. Richard Zednik

b. Clint Malarchuk

c. Bill Masterton

II. History of Equipment

a. Pre 1950

b. 1960-1970

c. 1970-1980

d. 1980-1990

e. 1990-2000

III. Current Equipment regulations

a. Neck Guards

b. Helmets

c. Goalie masks

IV. Neck Guard Debate

a. Pros

b. Cons

Conclusions: Will it take a death to make NHL officials change there minds on the policies regarding neck guards like they did with helmets after the death of Bill Masterton.

Are current equipment regulations enough to keep our hockey athletes safe? I ask this after the life threatening injury that recently occurred here in Buffalo. However this isn’t the first time that the NHL (National Hockey League) has seen injuries of this magnitude. What were these injuries? How did they affect the NHL rules? What kind of rules are in place today? What is the NHL doing about neck guards? These questions and more will be answered as we take a look into NHL injuries, the history of equipment regulations, current equipment regulations, and the debate over neck guards.

It was Sunday, February 10, 2008 here in Buffalo at the HSBC Arena. The Buffalo Sabres were playing the Florida Panthers. Thousands of spectators cheered as Buffalo took a 4-3 lead. The puck flew down the ice to the corner left of goaltender Ryan Miller. Players from both team rushed after the puck, 10 minutes and 4 seconds into the 3rd period Florida forward Olli Jokinen...

... middle of paper ...

...es another player have to meet death before the NHL will change their minds on neck guards? Were Clint Malarchuk and Richard Zednik injuries not sever enough? How many more players have to meet this fate before something is done? I think that Florida Panthers head coach Jacques Martin said it best in a press conference held at Richard Zednik’s release from the hospital

Meredith

“In a situation like this you realize hockey is just a game, life is more important.”

Work Cited

Richard Zednik Hockey Throat Cut. Video. Http:// www.break.com/index/richard-zednik-hockey-throat-cut.html. 2012

Press conference with Richard Zednik and Jacques Martin. Video. ESPN. 2012

“NHL Rulebook.” March 2012, March 2012

“Ruff on neck guards: ‘I would endorse them.” Buffalo News. 11 Feb. 2012.

“Hockey for Dummies” March 2012.

“NHL Equipment.” March 2012.

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