The tragic incident that deeply affected the global ice hockey community continues to serve as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect everyone involved in the sport.

As in all sports, the safety of our players must take precedence above all else. We are firmly committed to our obligation to exhaust every possible means to ensure that a tragic incident of this nature never befalls our sport again.

With this paramount consideration in mind and recognising the need for short, medium and long-term, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) has resolved to undertake the following actions, aligning with Ice Hockey UK and Scottish Ice Hockey:

1. SHORT TERM: The use of an approved Ice Hockey Neck Guard/Protector is now mandatory for all players at all levels of English Ice Hockey during any on-ice activity. All protective equipment must be worn as intended and in full accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. This rule was introduced after a strong recommendation period in 2023 and is now fully in effect.

2. MEDIUM TERM: The EIHA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, is conducting a Player Safety Equipment thorough review considering all aspects of player safety equipment including, but not limited to, the use of helmets, mouthguards/gumshields and facial protection, and the application of IIHF rules.

3. LONG TERM: The EIHA will provide its membership with clear guidance on the ongoing and continuous improvement of Player Safety and their duties within this area. This will include the requirement for all clubs to be able to demonstrate that they proactively manage Player Safety within their organisations.

It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing a sport. Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heartbreaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.

We bear both a legal and a moral obligation to respond in a measured and pragmatic way. There is a distinct likelihood that comprehensive evaluations will transpire at the international level, and the EIHA is committed to taking an active and constructive role in this comprehensive process.