PFD report

Adam Robert Johnson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Pin Get email alerts Request correction

Issued 3 Nov 2023•South Yorkshire (Western)

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
1

Raised in this report

Recipients
3

Named on the report

Responses found
4

Of 3 recipients

Stated actions
9

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

Open published report

Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised1

  1. Lack of a requirement for adult ice hockey players to wear neck protection
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.8

  1. Action

    Mandate neck laceration protectors for Senior Men and Women national-team competitions.

    Stated by Ice Hockey UK LtdStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 November 2023.
  2. Action

    Mandate and enforce neck-laceration protector use for players during all on-ice activities across UK ice hockey.

    Stated by England Ice HockeyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 November 2023.
  3. Action

    Issue updated safety information explaining neck-laceration protector requirements, standards and permitted use.

    Stated by England Ice HockeyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 November 2023.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.4

  1. Position

    Changes to EIHL and EIH rules fall outside the authority of Ice Hockey UK.

    Stated by Ice Hockey UK LtdOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a requirement for adult ice hockey players to wear neck protection

Wider context from the report

“The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) recommends that neck guards or protectors be worn, but there is no requirement for ice hockey players over the age of 18 to wear equipment designed to protect the neck. In due course the inquest will consider whether the use of a neck guard or protector could have prevented Mr Johnson's death. At this stage in my investigation however, I am sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Mandate neck laceration protectors for Senior Men and Women national-team competitions.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The IIHF, on recommendation from its Medical Committee, has now decided to mandate the use of a neck laceration protector (or “neck guard”), specifically designed for this purpose, at all levels of IIHF competitions - https://www.iihf.com/en/news/56022/iihf_mandates_neck_laceration_protection_at_all_le. IHUK, whose rule jurisdiction only covers the GB National teams, mandated neck guards for Senior Men and Women with immediate effect on 30 October 2023 - https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/player-health-safety-wellbeing-and-action-plan. This was in addition to the existing mandate for the U16, U18 and U20 categories, as official IIHF categories the latter two were already covered as per IIHF Official Rule Book.”

Source location

Response from Ice Hockey UK
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Mandate and enforce neck-laceration protector use for players during all on-ice activities across UK ice hockey.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Further to this statement, England Ice Hockey can confirm the short term action of the mandating of neck laceration protectors (neck guards) which comes into effect from 1st January 2024 as instructed below.”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey, Ice Hockey UK and Scottish Ice Hockey
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Issue updated safety information explaining neck-laceration protector requirements, standards and permitted use.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In October 2023 Ice Hockey UK (IHUK), England Ice Hockey (EIH) and Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH) issued updated safety information on the wearing of neck laceration protectors (commonly referred to as neck guards) by all players. Unless engaged in activities already covered by IIHF regulations, this confirms that IIHF Rule 9.12 on Neck Laceration Protectors will be enforced in the UK from 1st January 2024. In brief, the instruction outlines that:”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey, Ice Hockey UK and Scottish Ice Hockey
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Mandate neckguard use for all EIHL players in training, pre-game activities and games from 1 January 2024.

Verbatim wording from the response

“14. It being noted that nearly all players in the EIHL have used neck protection since 28 October 2023, it has now been resolved as follows:”

Source location

Response from Elite Ice Hockey League
Page 4 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement a temporary rule change sanctioning non-compliance with the neckguard requirement pending the full IIHF rule change.

Verbatim wording from the response

“(ii) A temporary rule change has been put in place to sanction non-compliance pending the provision of the full rule change from the IIHF.”

Source location

Response from Elite Ice Hockey League
Page 4 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Publish an update confirming the neck-laceration protection mandate, with recreational-hockey implementation extended until 1 April 2024 because of supply constraints.

Verbatim wording from the response

“A further update, a copy of which is attached for your convenience, will be published on 30 December 2023 to confirm the mandate, with the exception of Recreational Hockey (the community level of the sport) where the supply of neck laceration protectors has meant that the strong recommendation has been extended until 1 April 2024.”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey
Page 2 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Issue a joint statement strongly recommending neck-laceration protectors at all levels of UK ice hockey with immediate effect.

Verbatim wording from the response

“English Ice Hockey Association response On 30 October 2023, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) along with Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) and Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH), released a statement recognising the need for short, medium and longer term action in response to Adam Johnson’s death. The statement confirmed that neck laceration protectors would be strongly recommended at all levels with immediate effect and become compulsory from 1 January 2024 at all levels of ice hockey in the UK. The statement can be found here: https://englandicehockey.com/eiha-update-player-safety/”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey
Page 2 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Make neck-laceration protectors compulsory at all levels of UK ice hockey from 1 January 2024, subject to the recreational-hockey supply extension.

Verbatim wording from the response

“English Ice Hockey Association response On 30 October 2023, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) along with Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) and Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH), released a statement recognising the need for short, medium and longer term action in response to Adam Johnson’s death. The statement confirmed that neck laceration protectors would be strongly recommended at all levels with immediate effect and become compulsory from 1 January 2024 at all levels of ice hockey in the UK. The statement can be found here: https://englandicehockey.com/eiha-update-player-safety/”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey
Page 2 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Changes to EIHL and EIH rules fall outside the authority of Ice Hockey UK.

Verbatim wording from the response

“IHUK does not have jurisdiction to implement changes within the Elite Ice Hockey League (“EIHL”) rules which Adam Johnson was playing within at the time of the incident, nor the English Ice Hockey Association (“EIHA”, now known as England Ice Hockey or “EIH”), both parties named as Properly Informed Persons on the Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future Deaths. The EIHL and EIH will be able to separately advise as to how they intend to address the decision taken by IIHF.”

Source location

Response from Ice Hockey UK
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

EIHL and EIH are responsible for advising how they will address the IIHF neck-guard decision.

Verbatim wording from the response

“IHUK does not have jurisdiction to implement changes within the Elite Ice Hockey League (“EIHL”) rules which Adam Johnson was playing within at the time of the incident, nor the English Ice Hockey Association (“EIHA”, now known as England Ice Hockey or “EIH”), both parties named as Properly Informed Persons on the Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future Deaths. The EIHL and EIH will be able to separately advise as to how they intend to address the decision taken by IIHF.”

Source location

Response from Ice Hockey UK
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Supply issues prevent immediate implementation of the neck-guard mandate for Recreational Hockey, delaying it until April 2024 subject to review.

Verbatim wording from the response

“This mandate applies to all players and coaches in all forms of ice hockey within the United Kingdom, with the exception of Recreational Hockey where an extension to the mandated wearing of neck guards has been agreed due to supply issues (the strong recommendation remains in place at this level only). The mandate will apply for Recreational Hockey on the 1st April 2024, subject to the supply situation, however it will remain under review and we reserve the right to bring the mandate into force sooner.”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey, Ice Hockey UK and Scottish Ice Hockey
Page 1 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Compulsory neck protection for recreational hockey was delayed because supply constraints prevented immediate implementation.

Verbatim wording from the response

“A further update, a copy of which is attached for your convenience, will be published on 30 December 2023 to confirm the mandate, with the exception of Recreational Hockey (the community level of the sport) where the supply of neck laceration protectors has meant that the strong recommendation has been extended until 1 April 2024.”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey
Page 2 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.1

  1. 1

    Undertake a player-safety equipment and procedures review covering player safety at all levels of UK ice hockey.

    Stated by English Ice Hockey AssociationStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 6 November 2023.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Undertake a player-safety equipment and procedures review covering player safety at all levels of UK ice hockey.

Verbatim wording from the response

“EIHA, along with IHUK and SIH, are committed to undertaking a player safety equipment review and procedures for ensuring player safety at all levels of the sport in the UK.”

Source location

Response from England Ice Hockey
Page 2 · response
Published 6 November 2023

Open published response
Back to top

Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026