NHL star Connor Bedard’s skate comes dangerously close to cutting the neck of

Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard’s skate almost cut the neck of Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele Wednesday night. 

During the Blackhawks’ overtime win, the rookie was caught up in a play that could have had dire consequences after he took a tumble over Scheifele’s stick. 

Bedard tried to skate past the Jets’ alternate captain only for his opponent’s stick to get caught in front of him, causing him to lose his balance and topple forward. 

But as the 18-year-old crashed towards the ground his right leg raised upwards and his skate came alarmingly close to catching Scheifele, who didn’t appear to be wearing a guard, on the neck. 

Fortunately, Scheifele was unharmed and Bedard went on to score the winning goal in overtime of the Blackhawks’ 2-1 win.  

Blackhawks star Connor Bedard’s skate almost cut the neck of Jets center Mark Scheifele

During Chicago’s overtime win, the rookie tripped over Scheifele’s stick and fell to the ice 

Adam Johnson died after an opponent’s skate slashed his neck during a game in October

However, the incident raised concerns over player safety, coming just two months after the death of Adam Johnson. 

The Nottingham Panthers player died at the age of 29 in an on-ice freak accident on October 28 when he was stuck in the neck by an opponent’s skate during a game against the Sheffield Steelers. 

The tragic incident was witnessed by around 8,000 fans at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. 

The close-call between Bedard and Scheifele on Wednesday has renewed pleas from fans for players to wear protective equipment. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that neck guards will become compulsory at all International Ice Hockey Federation events including the Olympics and the men’s and women’s world championships. 

Bedard went on to score the winner in overtime, sealing the 2-1 win for the Blackhawks 

Scheifele, an alternate captain for the Jets, hits the puck past Chicago’s  Jason Dickinson 

The English Ice Hockey Association announced within days of Johnson’s accident at the end of October that neck guards will become compulsory during ‘all on-ice activities’ from the start of 2024.

Neck guards are not yet compulsory in professional leagues including the NHL, while the IIHF is yet to announce a start date for its new ruling, given delays in procuring the required equipment.

Following the collision, Johnson was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. 

A post-mortem examination confirmed he had died as a result of a fatal neck injury. 

Neck guards will become compulsory at all…