It's unfortunate that it took a gruesome death of a hockey player on the ice for his colleagues to start taking neck protectors seriously. However, that has become part of Adam Johnson's legacy following his death near the end of October during a game in England. The demand is so high, a report says companies supplying the NHL can't keep up.
According to the New York Post, Nick Bonino will be the first New York Rangers to wear a neck protector during games. However, he was forced to order one from Amazon.
The New York Post states there are a "glut of back orders" on file throughout the league. Bonino said he actually tried to order an undershirt with built-in neck protector from NHL suppliers the day after the Johnson incident, but hasn't received it. That's why he went through Amazon.