Interest in neck guards spikes after a hockey player's tragic death

Players from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks on Monday honored former Penguin player Adam Johnson, who died during a game in England. The Penguins are making neck guards mandatory for players at the minor-league level, and will also urge NHL players to wear them. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

The tragedy that took hockey player Adam Johnson's life has happened in the sport before — and while such incidents are rare, Johnson's death from a skate cut to the neck is spurring people and organizations to try to prevent it from happening again.

Interest in cut-resistant neck guards is surging as amateur and pro hockey players alike look for ways to ensure their safety. In some places, the gear quickly sold out after Johnson's death.