A storm of protest has erupted online from Ontario Hockey League players who oppose a new rule that forces them to wear neck guards on the ice.
The new rule comes into effect March 10 but players are doing what they can before then to make their opposition heard loud and clear.
A new group named "Keep neck guards out of the OHL" was created on Facebook early Wednesday morning. By Thursday afternoon, more than 180 people joined the group on the popular social networking website to sound off on the new regulation.
One group member wrote, "We might as well put the cage on if we have to wear neck guards."
Another hockey player posted a note saying he simply won't wear it.
"I probably shouldn't be in this league anyway but I'll be pumping gas before I will wear a neck guard," he wrote.
Some of the players said wearing extra equipment is uncomfortable and restricts their playing ability.
The ruling was prompted by a dangerous incident during an NHL game on Feb. 10 when Florida Panthers player Richard Zednik was cut in the neck by his teammate's skate.
The cut severed Zednik's external carotid artery. He was upgraded to good condition and has since been quoted as saying he will wear a neck guard once he returns to the ice.
Drake Berehowsky, the assistant coach of the Barrie Colts, said there was the same type of opposition when visors were made mandatory a few years ago.
"When we brought in mandatory visors in the OHL a lot of guys complained about it but they seem to getting used to it now," he said Wednesday in an interview with A-Channel.
"There's always going to be guys complaining, guys who don't like it but you know what, they'll get used to (neck guards)," he added. "It just takes some time to get used to and hopefully it will keep everyone a little safer."
The Colts' head athletic therapist, Kelly McKeraghan, said she couldn't agree more.
"A neck getting cut by a skate doesn't happen very often but when it does it can definitely be a life-threatening injury so for them to be taking this approach and trying to prevent it is a good idea," she told A-Channel Wednesday.
Players were also quick to voice their displeasure with the neck guards at the arena.
John Tavares, a star player with the Oshawa Generals, said he's not in favour of the change.
"It's very thin, it's not even really that protective I think," he said in an interview with TSN Wednesday. "Personally I would like to stay the way we are. Everything's okay for us. It's a debatable issue I guess."
