New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald Advocates for Player Safety After Son’s Scary Injury

Lead: On December 28, 2024, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald found himself at a restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida, anxiously streaming his son Casey’s American Hockey League game. During the second period, Casey sustained a severe neck injury from a skate blade, prompting Fitzgerald to advocate for enhanced protective equipment in the NHL. The frightening incident highlights a pressing issue: ensuring players’ safety on the ice.

The Incident: A Father’s Nightmare

– Fitzgerald was dining with his wife when Casey’s injury occurred.
– Casey, who was playing for the Hartford Wolfpack, gestured to his neck during a play that left him injured.
– After asking a referee if he was cut, Casey later learned from an opposing player that his neck was, in fact, severely injured.
– The incident required 25 stitches, but Casey made a full recovery and returned to the ice shortly thereafter.

Emotional Aftermath

– Fitzgerald shared his emotional experience during the NHL’s annual GM meetings, expressing gratitude for his son’s recovery.
– “You just don’t understand. You can’t understand,” he said while addressing the severity of the situation.
– The incident sparked conversations about the necessity of protective gear in hockey, particularly after tragic events like the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson.

Moving Toward Safer Equipment

– The AHL mandates equipment like neck guards, while the NHL’s rules remain less stringent.
– Fitzgerald advocates for more players to take equipment seriously and prioritize their long-term health over immediate performance.
– He is the only general manager on the NHL’s cut-resistant committee, working on ways to enhance player protection.

Challenges in Changing Player Habits

– Many players resist using neck guards and wrist guards due to comfort or heat concerns.
– Some teams report a high percentage of players wearing protective socks, but neck and wrist guards see lower uptake.
– “Neck guards at the NHL level are a little more challenging,” noted Tampa GM Julien BriseBois, who suggests grassroots initiatives to develop protective habits from a young age.

Conclusion: Fitzgerald’s impassioned appeal for increased player safety aims to prevent future injuries and raise awareness among NHL players. His message resonates with other GMs, who recognize the importance of prioritizing player health alongside performance. As Fitzgerald puts it, players should strive to protect themselves, as their careers will eventually end, but their health will last a lifetime.

Keywords: Tom Fitzgerald, New Jersey Devils, player safety, Casey Fitzgerald injury, NHL protective gear, AHL, hockey injuries, stick blade cuts, player protection.

Hashtags: #NHL #HockeySafety #PlayerProtection #TomFitzgerald #YouthHockey #HealthAndSafety #AHL #ProtectiveGear



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