Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cole Koepke has decided to wear a neck guard during games for extra protection following the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Adam Johnson, who was cut by a skate blade during a game.
‣ Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cole Koepke is opting to wear a neck guard during games for extra protection following the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Adam Johnson.
‣ Koepke is the first player from the Lightning to wear a neck guard, a safety measure that is not currently mandated by the NHL.
‣ The decision comes after Johnson was fatally cut by a skate blade during a game, an incident initially described as a “freak accident” but later resulted in the arrest of another player on suspicion of manslaughter.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward, Cole Koepke, is making some changes. He’s doing this in the wake of former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Adam Johnson’s death last month.
Koepke has decided to don a neck guard. This is to protect himself from potential skate blade injuries. “I actually knew Adam,” Koepke shared with the Associated Press after a Monday morning skate session with the Lightning. The news hit him hard. “A lot to take in… boom. Shock. Just terrible.”
Wearing a neck guard doesn’t bother him. So, why not wear it? “It just seems like the right thing to do,” Koepke added.
He’s the first Lightning player to adopt the neck guard. The NHL doesn’t require players to wear one on the ice. But Koepke, who’s 25, thinks more players will start wearing them in the future.
Last month, during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers, a tragic incident occurred. Johnson was cut by the skate blade of Steelers forward Matt Petgrave after a collision. Johnson was given immediate medical attention on the ice. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.
Initially, Johnson’s death was termed a “freak accident.” However, things took a turn. Petgrave was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He’s since been released on bail.
