Concern for mandatory neck guards after Churchbridge player faces near fatal accident

Discussions on neck guards being mandatory for hockey players has come to light after a recent senior hockey player in east-central Saskatchewan experienced a near fatal accident.

Discussions on neck guards being mandatory for hockey players has come to light after a recent senior hockey player in east-central Saskatchewan experienced a near fatal accident.

The Churchbridge Imperial player has been in recovery since being struck with a skate during a faceoff in a game between the Imperials and Esterhazy Flyers.

"A near fatal experience is more than enough for me to understand what needs to be done,” Cole Cusitar, goaltender and captain of Churchbridge Imperials, expressed. 

Since the incident, questions about hockey players - of all ages – wearing neck guards has circulated, especially for Cusitar.

“Going forward, me personally I will support the neck guard and wear one from here on out,” he said.

“Would it have changed maybe the outcome here? I don't know. The cut was a little bit higher, than anticipated at the start. It’s up to the players and people that don’t have mandatory neck guards in place, it’s up to them. I’m not one of those guys that are going to push you and make you wear one.”

Given the severity of the accident, Tim Roussin, the Churchbridge Imperials Senior Hockey Club head coach, said the team decided to move forward with the mandate.