Discussions over mandatory neck guards emerge after Churchbridge player faces near fatal accident

Discussions around neck guards being mandatory for hockey players have come to the forefront after a senior hockey player in east-central Saskatchewan was involved in a near fatal accident on Dec. 7.

Cole Cusitar, a forward and captain of the Churchbridge Imperials, is recovering after he was struck in the neck and face by a skate during 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," Cusitar explained.

Since the incident, questions about hockey players, of all ages, wearing neck guards have 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."

• Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game

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.

"I think any of those safety measures you can put in place, they are there for a reason,” he shared.

“You’re always concerned, even with the half face shields, you're worried about injuries to guys faces. It's a working man’s league, people have to work, right, so you don't want to see any injuries.

“Our team, personally, we are implementing neck guards. It's just one of those things that can help mitigate any disasters happening to any of our players going forward."

In a statement to CTV News, Hockey Saskatchewan said it the "personal choice" of senior hockey players in the province to use the protective equipment.

"Neck guards are mandatory within Hockey Saskatchewan for all levels of hockey, except for senior hockey, which Cole was participating in," stated general manager Kelly McClintock.

"We have approximately 115 senior teams, and the use of neck guards has been left to their personal choice."

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Regardless, sales of neck guards for both kids and adults have noticably risen, according to one local business.

“We have seen an increase in sales in them for sure, these [neck guards] and the neck shirts as well,” voiced Kade Wishnevetski, store manager of Hometown Source for Sports.

Recently, sales of neck guards for both kids and adults have increased. (Sierra D'Souza Butts / CTV News)

"I think with just recent events that’s been going on, even in the NHL, they’ve been increasing that just keeping some defenses."

Wishnevetski explained how the neck guard works as a protective measure.

"If you were to take a skate up in the neck area, and it were to hit this [band], like these Bauler ones specifically are made with kevlar protective cloth," he said.

“If a skate hits that, it will basically just glance right off and you'll be protected in that sense.”

Now on the road to recovery, Cusitar’s wife said she would personally like to see more players make use of the guards.

“I know that he’s going to want to go back on the ice, that’s just who he is. He is the heart and soul of that team,” Jody Cusitar expressed.

“For myself, I really just encourage it for everyone else out there listening. Again, like Cole said, we’re not here to push mandates, but I am here to encourage it. You realize it’s not what we have in your life that’s important, but it’s who we have in our life."

“Yes, hockey is important, but it’s the people skating that are truly important.”

With his wife and kids by his side, Cusitar voiced how grateful is he to be able to share his story.

"It's something that is there to protect you in a serious case and obviously what I just went through that could've been near fatal, but I'm happy that God was in my corner that night and he kept me safe," he said.

“If there ever is a next time, which I hope there never is for anyone for that matter, we just want to [bring] it to the surface to let anyone out there know that things are precious in this world," he added.

"It's nice to be home to see my kids and my wife and most importantly to be alive to share this today to anyone who is looking for advice in this situation."