NHL DG Meeting: Father’s Plea for Player Safety and Protection Against Cuts

The incident occurred on December 28th, as Tom and his wife Kerry followed Casey’s AHL game on their phones. What seemed like a routine play near the boards quickly turned into a nightmare. Casey was rushed to the hospital after team therapists stemmed the bleeding.

The agonizing wait for information was compounded by the limited updates.
He called us from the ambulance on the way to the hospital, saying, ‘I’m fine. I’m okay,’ Tom Fitzgerald recalled.
We almost lost it.

Fitzgerald’s advocacy comes in the wake of Adam Johnson’s tragic death, a stark reminder of the potential consequences of skate-related injuries. Johnson, a former NHL player, died last year after a skate cut his neck during a game in England.

Addressing his fellow GMs, Fitzgerald delivered a powerful message:

Tell players you don’t wont their parents to have such a dramatic situation. Cut on as much protection as possible as you will stop playing one day and you will have to live.
tom Fitzgerald,General Manager,New Jersey Devils

Neck guards, wrist protection, and Achilles tendon protectors are now mandatory in youth hockey and minor professional leagues like the ECHL and AHL.While these options are available to NHL players, they are not mandated. This discrepancy highlights a critical point of contention.

San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier, a close freind of the Fitzgerald family, echoed the sentiment:

We must strive to protect our players as best we can. We have to encourage our players to protect themselves.
Mike Grier, General Manager, San Jose Sharks

Any mandate in the NHL would require approval from the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), similar to the adoption of mandatory half-visors over a decade ago. Discussions between the league and the union are ongoing.

the NHLPA emphasized their commitment to player safety in a statement:

The joint subcommittee of the NHL and NHLPA on protective equipment sensitizes players and teams of the equipment resistant to the cuts available for all players. NHLPA ensures that players have the information necessary to make informed choices concerning their equipment.Our members continue to firmly believe that wearing cuts resistant to cuts is a question of individual preferably.

Historically, significant injuries, such as erik Karlsson’s Achilles tendon laceration in 2013, have spurred increased use of protective gear like Kevlar socks. Adam Johnson’s death has further accelerated the development and adoption of cut-resistant equipment,with over 30 approved options now available.

During the GM meeting, NHL VP of Hockey Operations Rob Pasma presented video footage of skate cuts and near-misses from the current season, including the graphic aftermath of Casey Fitzgerald’s injury, which required 25 stitches.

they showed the before and after, and I think that was what caught the attention of many, who said, ‘Wow! How lucky he was,’ Tom Fitzgerald stated.
The more I spoke, the more my throat tightened just thinking about the luck we had.

Fitzgerald and Grier acknowledged their past reluctance to wear visors, but now actively encourage their players to consider all available cut-resistant equipment.

The NHL already mandates a video presentation during training camp showcasing near-accident scenarios and available protective options. Pasma recognizes the challenge of changing ingrained player habits but believes that cut-resistant materials should be considered as essential as helmets and shin guards.