Lightning's Cole Koepke opts to wear neck guard following Adam Johnson's death

Johnson died after being cut during a game in England last month

By Chris Bengel Nov 20, 2023 at 4:36 pm ET• 1 min read

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cole Koepke is taking extra precautions following the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Adam Johnson last month. Koepke is opting to wear a neck guard going forward in order to protect himself from being cut by a skate blade.

"I actually knew Adam," Koepke told the Associated Press following the Lightning's morning skate on Monday. "A lot to take in ... boom. Shock. Just terrible."

"It doesn't bother me to wear the neck guard, so I don't see a reason not to wear it," Koepke added. "It just seems like the right thing to do."