(KNSI) — A college athlete in Texas may have an invention that will save lives on the ice.
Carter Hogg is a sophomore playing football at Johns Hopkins University. He is also the founder and CEO of his G8RTech. The flexible and protective clothing he created G8R skin, originally developed to reduce concussions. It looks similar to a balaclava, and with a few modifications, it can protect hockey players from cuts on their necks.
Hogg said the support was inspired by the death of Adam Johnson last year. Johnson, from Hibbing, was playing in England's Elite Hockey League when he decapitated himself with another player's skate.
“It's worn under the helmet and shoulder pads, so it can be used for a variety of sports. This shape made it very suitable for a neck laceration protector, as it provides more coverage than any other neck protector.”
Hogg told KNSI News that as an athlete himself, he was able to address players' concerns about equipment, including overheating.
“The biggest thing we've done is add pockets on the back of the neck and on the top of the shoulders where you can put cooling gel packs. There's a lot of blood flow to these two important places. [and] You can lower the player's body temperature by cooling specific areas. ”
Hogg said the G8RSkin is made from a perforated material that has sweat-wicking properties. These properties help prevent some of the most serious injuries hockey players sustain while not contributing to heat build-up.
The product caught the attention of Dr. Charles Popkin, a physician for the U.S. hockey team who is a member of the company's medical advisory board. USA Hockey wants neck protectors to become mandatory equipment for games.
Mr Hogg says he is lucky to come from a family of entrepreneurs. His father has 500 patents to his name and his grandfather is also an inventor. He credits both with preparing him for the business.
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