Saskatchewan official doesn’t notice a difference while wearing a neck guard

Last Monday, Hockey Saskatchewan announced a new mandate that requires officials to wear neck guards while working in leagues that require players to wear the same piece of protective equipment.

Some complaints that have been voiced about wearing neck guards is the potential of having your head movement be limited.

Saskatoon official Kate Sauser said she hasn’t noticed a difference while wearing a neck guard.

“It is a little bit of an adjustment (because) we haven’t obviously worn one in the past,” said Sauser. “But I definitely don’t think it limits any movements.”

Sauser said she’s glad the change was made because the neck guards give officials an extra bit of protection they wouldn’t normally have.

“What I always say is it’s better to have one and have nothing happen than to have something happen and have nothing on,” said Sauser. “It gives you an extra bit of protection on your neck where refs don’t often have that extra protection.”

While Sauser doesn’t notice any major differences, Hockey Saskatchewan president Kelly McClintock said he has heard some complaints so far.

“There is the odd complaint maybe from someone who’s older and would be working minor hockey,” said McClintock. “I think for the most part they understand why.”

McClintock said the decision to implement neck guards was an easy one to make.

“From our board perspective, there wasn’t any dissenting opinion on that,” said McClintock. “Looking at it from a risk management safety perspective and now in those games, there’s nobody on the ice during a game that isn’t wearing a neck guard.”

Officials who are caught without a neck guard in a league where it’s mandatory for players to wear one will receive some sort of punishment.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League mandated the use of neck guards by players in early November following the death of former NHLer Adam Johnson.

Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England.

SJHL and WHL players must wear neck guards during all on-ice activities, including practices and games.