Not To Be Trusted With Knives

And this, my friends, is why I always wear a neck guard when I play hockey

February 11, 2008 by Beth

Warning: This video is not for the squeamish.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhuC1gIuy2M&rel=1]

If you weren’t brave enough to watch the video (and believe me, I wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t), Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers had his carotid artery slashed by a fellow player’s skate during a game yesterday. Thanks to immediate, on-site medical attention and emergency surgery, he survived.What I totally don’t get is why NHL hockey players don’t wear neck guards. I mean, seriously, why on earth would you want to leave your neck, with your precious, precious carotid artery in it, exposed? I also think it’s stupid that hockey players don’t wear full face shields, but I can at least understand that a face shield does impede your vision; but a neck guard? A neck guard in no way hampers your play, so why don’t they wear them? I wouldn’t dream of playing without mine¹ but I would say that the majority of people I’ve played with don’t wear them. I’ve asked people why and usually get the answer “it bothers me” or “it’s not comfortable.²” You know what else isn’t comfortable? A slashed carotid artery.

P.S. You can go to the Panthers’ website to send Zednik a “get well” note.

¹I also wear a full face shield because I don’t care if it impedes my vision, I’m far too beautiful to risk anything happening my face!).
²And I can honestly say that when I play, I never even notice that I’m wearing a neck guard.

Comments |4|

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.