LONDON — Neck guards will be mandatory for all Ontario junior hockey officials starting next month.
The Ontario Hockey Association issued the order after Stratford linesman Kevin Brown’s throat was slashed by a skate blade during a game in Woodstock.
Neck guards have been mandatory for players since the start of the 2008-2009 season.
Officials are encouraged to wear neck guards until February 1st — but after that, they’ll be mandatory.
Brown was breaking up a fight between two players from junior C teams from New Hamburg and Woodstock when one player’s skate slashed through his carotid artery.
Team trainers and an off-duty nurse helped the 25-year-old Brown until paramedics arrived and he is still recovering.
Certified neck protectors are made of ballistic nylon or similar material.
