Adam Johnson's tragic death saves a young hockey player.

The hockey world was shaken to its foundations in October of 2023 when a horrific on-ice incident claimed the life of former National Hockey League player Adam Johnson. Johnson was struck in the neck by the skate blade of an opposing player, Matt Petgrave, a blow that Johnson would never recover from.

Johnson was only 29 years of age at the time of the incident but, in spite of the fact that he was with us only for a short time, Johnson's life will leave a long and lasting legacy. Last week we learned that it is a legacy that is already saving lives.

A Wyoming boy named Carter Lein has just narrowly escaped death after him tripping on the ice led to a terrifying incident in what was otherwise a normal game. Carter, who is only 11 years old, was struck by the skate blade of an opponent across the neck after he fell, a cut that stopped just 1 inch short of his major arteries.

Carter however was wearing a neck guard due to a mandate that USA Hockey put in place in the month of August last year, one that came in direct response to the tragedy involving Johnson. According to Carter's mother, Lauren Lein, it proved to be the difference between life and death.

"The doctors said if the neck guard wasn’t there, the skate would have gone to his jugular," said Lauren as per the New York Post. "We’d be telling a very different story."

It's hard to argue with that assessment, especially after you've seen the photos of the injury to Carter's neck and just how close things really were. You can see the extent of that injury in this photo courtesy of Lauren Lein and the New York Post:

This is of course only one example of the no doubt many lives that Johnson will save as a result of the legacy he leaves behind, and I have no doubt that the Lein family is extremely grateful that USA Hockey took measures to make sure another tragedy like the one involving Johnson does not happen again.

While there is nothing that can ever bring Adam Johnson back for the Johnson family and his loved ones, I do hope they can find some small comfort in the knowledge that his legacy is saving the lives of young athletes like Carter.