USA Hockey Now Requires Neck Guards. Here's What To Know

All hockey players and ice officials under the age of 18 must wear neck guards while on the ice, according to a USA Hockey rule that went into effect late last summer. The rule applies to both practices and games.

The consequence for not wearing a neck guard is an initial team warning followed by a 10-minute misconduct penalty for any violations after the initial warning. That said, the greater motivation for wearing a neck guard should be safety.

"Life-threatening injuries can occur from a skate blade to the neck, as that area holds the vital arteries," says T. Sean Lynch, M.D., a sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health. "This rule actually came about after a player in England was hit with the blade of a skate and died. Hockey is a fast-paced sport and accidents can occur in a split second. There are in fact multiple areas of the body where a skate blade can cause serious injury and we're starting to see a lot more cut-resistant undergarments to keep players safe."

While neck protection isn't mandated for the NHL, Dr. Lynch says it's likely coming - as the American Hockey League (the league just below the NHL) has also mandated neck protection for the 2024 - 2025 season.

"Sometimes at the higher level, creating new mandates occur at a slower pace," says Dr. Lynch. "It's not a matter of if, but when, neck guards will be mandated in the NHL."

How To Find A Quality Neck Guard

A good, protective neck guard should cover as much of the neck as possible. It should meet Canadian or European standards: It can be certified by the BNQ (Bureau de normalization du Quebec) or CE (Conformité Européene). You'll find one of these initials on the neck guard. This will ensure the neck guard is made of quality materials and has been tested to protect against skate blades. USA Hockey's Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) will also likely have a neck guard certification in the future.

The thickness of the neck guard doesn't necessarily matter, says Dr. Lynch, as long as it's made of a durable fabric like cut-resistant Kevlar. (Kevlar is actually a fabric that's used in bulletproof vests.)

It's also important that your neck guard fits comfortably and doesn't inhibit movement. It should be snug without being too constrictive - allowing you full range of motion - but without any gaps in the neck. Just as you would walk around in shoes before buying a pair, move your head from side to side and up and down to make sure your neck guard fits properly.

You can choose from a few different styles of neck guards:

• Wrap-around: This is a simple style that wraps around the neck.
• Long-sleeve shirt with built-in neck guard: This is a cut-resistant base layer shirt that also includes a neck guard. Dr. Lynch notes that it might be easier to find in your huge hockey bag than a wrap-around neck guard.
• Bib: Often preferred for goalies, this style adds extra protection around the chest and back, along with the neck.

"Take the time to find a good neck guard for you or for your child," says Dr. Lynch. "Just like wearing other protective layers like cut-resistant socks, sleeves and undergarments, it's part of an overall safe way to reduce the risk of injury while playing hockey."

Reviewed by T. Sean Lynch, M.D., a sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health who sees patients at the Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, Henry Ford Medical Center-Royal Oak and Henry Ford Medical Center-Plymouth.