Winslow Townson-Imagn

Auston Matthews Breaks Silence on Olympic Neck Guard Rule After the Adam Johnson Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Abhilasha Aditi | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 10:48 AM ET

Auston Matthews, captain of Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics, spoke about the new neck guard rule in the tournament. The rule was introduced following the death of Adam Johnson.

Johnson, a 29-year-old American forward, died in Oct. 2023 after a skate blade struck his neck during a Challenge Cup game in England. His death led the International Ice Hockey Federation and other leagues to require neck guards, including the NHL, for all new players starting in the 2026–27 season.

Matthews shared his thoughts with reporter Luke Fox, saying, “I mean, I don’t think many guys love it. But I think once you kinda get out there, you don’t notice it much.”

The rule is part of broader efforts to make hockey safer at all levels. Now, neck protection is mandatory in England, and the NHL is implementing it for new players, showing how seriously leagues are taking player safety.

Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) at Bell Centre.David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The 2026 Olympics will be the first men’s tournament with NHL players since 2014. Team USA, led by Matthews with Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk as alternate captains, will face Latvia, Denmark, and Germany in the preliminary round.

Matthews said playing for his country at the Olympics is an important moment, especially under these circumstances.

“It’s just very special,” he said. “You’re always extremely honored to represent your country and wear the Team USA jersey, but obviously it means that much more when you’re doing it in a setting like the Olympics.”

Since the Olympics are right around the corner, Matthews and the U.S. team will focus on competing strongly while staying safe on the ice.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: