Category Archives: Hockey Neck Guards

How Will the Use of Neck Guards be Enforced in Hockey?

HockeyNeckGuard.com – As indicated on our earlier post labeled, “USA Hockey Approved Legislation requiring the Use of Neck Protection for Players“, USA Hockey has indicated that all hockey players and on ice officials under the age of 18 must wear the neck guards while on the ice. But how will this be enforced? As for USA Hockey, Rule enforcement will be the same as any other protective equipment violation – the first violation will result in a player substitution and a team warning. Any subsequent protective equipment violations by the team during the game will result in a misconduct penalty.

If a player loses their neck laceration protector during play, it is treated the same as a mouthpiece. Play will continue until the next stoppage, then the player must replace the equipment or undergo a substitution. Read More

Hockey Neck Guard History

The Hockey neck guard (which is also called a Kim Crouch collar) is a piece of protective equipment worn by players around the neck area, particularly b players in the ice skating team sports of ice hockey, bandy, ringette, and rinkball. The guard is designed to prevent injury to the neck by ice hockey pucks, ringette rings, bandy balls, the metal blades on ice skates, and various types of sticks, i.e. ice hockey sticks. This piece is especially critical to goaltenders, especially ice hockey goaltenders, who are more likely at risk to be injured in this area.

History

The guard was developed in Ontario, Canada, after Kim Crouch, goalkeeper of the Royal York Royals, suffered a serious neck injury when his jugular vein was sliced by a skate when he dove into a fray during a 1975 match against the Markham Waxers. Kim Crouch’s father, Ed Crouch, developed a prototype neck-guard to help him return to the game. The guard was subsequently widely adopted by ice hockey players.

On January 28, 2024, USA Hockey, the governing body for ice hockey in the United States placed a mandate that began on August 1, 2024 in which all players and on-ice officials under the age of 18 are required to wear neck laceration protection that is “that is commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose.” Despite an adult exemption, USA Hockey still strongly recommends adult players use neck guards. View Source

The Importance of Hockey Neck Guards.

HockeyNeckGuard.com – Hockey is one of the fastest and most exciting sport to play, but as fun as it is, hockey carries a very real risk of injury to players of all levels and ages. To help keep hockey players protected, it’s important to get all the right equipment before you step onto the ice. Sure wearing proper sized skates, gloves, shin guards, shoulder pads and helmets, there is a lot more safety equipment that you will need to wear. 

But even with all the top hockey equipment that we protect ourselves with, one of the most vital part of the body is still left exposed. That part is the neck area. There have been an increased number of severe neck injuries throughout the hockey world and most of these accidents could of been avoided with a proper Hockey Neck Guard. These neck guards (also known as throat guards)  provides the recommended neck cut-protection and come in various styles that offer the most comfortable feel and fit. 

It doesn’t matter if you are new to the game, a pick up hockey player, in a house league hockey team, or an up and coming player playing for your school or city team, it’s very important that you include a Hockey Neck Guard as part of your regular hockey safety equipment. If you don’t currently have one, please make it a priority to get yourself one as it just might save your life one day!