Paul Stewart: The Stew: Neck Guards and Protective Gear

Hey Paul,

I usually am on board with most of your points. However, on this one I’ll disagree. To me it starts that slippery slope of the nanny state, or in this case, the nanny league.
If it was up to me, I’d wear one, and especially love the idea of cut resistant socks. I’ve been cut twice when I played as teen and college. Where I draw the line, is authorities who tell us what to do. Make sense, and I’ll be on board. Just don’t tell me I must. Mandates like this make me feel like I need someone to tell me what to do. I’d like to think I’m sharp enough to do the right thing. If not, I must live with the consequences. Too much big brother for my comfort.

Thanks!

When Petgrave was a prospect, scouts said the thing that set him apart was his skating. It’s tough to protect players with innovative safety equipment when a player is deliberate and reckless in extending his leg in a reverse kung fu style kick to impede the progress of another player. Didn’t want to go there, did you?

Playing without a helmet would result in many head injuries, especially as the game has become bigger and faster. Even if they weren't mandatory, I'll bet 99.9% of current players would make an informed decision to wear them.

Cuts to the neck are extremely rare - I can count the serious incidents on one hand. This particularly incident should have an asterisk as it wasn't a hockey play, but a pre-meditated and reckless attack.

So why not just equip players with the facts and trust them to make an informed decision.