Model is already sold out: more and more ZSC stars are wearing neck protection after Johnson’s death

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Gery Büsser, team doctor of the ZSC Lions, said to Blick after the fatal accident of professional Adam Johnson († 29): “I recommend wearing a neck brace or cut-resistant underwear.” In the first match since the fatal accident in Sheffield on Saturday against SCB (4:1) alongside junior Daniil Ustinkov (17), for whom this is mandatory, as four other ZSC players also wear the black shirts with neck protection: Chris Baltisberger (32 ), Sven Andrighetto (30) and the two Finnish goalscorers Juho Lammikko (27) and Mikko Lehtonen (29).

Other Lions players also want to wear neck protection. But this one is already sold out because there is suddenly a lot of demand for it after Johnson’s accident.

“Last year I fell and got a skate on my chest. Then I played a game with the neck protector and that actually went well,” says Baltisberger. “But then I tried to put the incident out of my mind and put aside the protection. You don’t want to play with fear.”

“We also have a role model function”

The striker, who in addition to the victory on Tuesday was also able to celebrate his birthday and the birth of the daughter of his brother and teammate Phil, says: “I think more and more people will start wearing neck protection. The models that are now available are also comfortable and do not put pressure on the neck.”

When asked whether he should protect himself, he concluded: “Why not?” He also discussed this with his wife after Johnson’s death. “With children it is a different perspective. And we also have a role model function,” says the man, who became the father of a son for the second time three weeks ago.

“Everyone has to decide for themselves,” says the Zurich resident, who since last season has also been wearing the hearing protection that most players remove from their helmets and “a knight’s armor” to arm themselves for the fight in front of the goal.

‘It’s very sad what happened. A real tragedy. It’s terrible to think about,” said his teammate Lammikko. “I saw that Lehtonen, Andrighetto and Baltisberger had neck protection and thought that was a good idea.”

“It’s a Good Thing”

The neck protection doesn’t bother me that much. “It feels a little strange at first. But you get used to it. It’s a good thing. I think I’ll always wear it from now on.”

Why didn’t the Finn with an NHL past think about wearing a neck protector earlier? “Maybe I didn’t think about it that much. In Finland it is mandatory. So I had worn one before.”

Source : Blick