Neck guards now required for all high school hockey players
Starting August 1, USA Hockey will now require the use of neck protection for players under 18 (WDIO).
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced Thursday that all high school hockey players will now be required to wear neck laceration protection during competition.
“The committee has done such great work the past several years, which has the rules in a really good place,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Ice Hockey Rules Committee. “After great discussion again this year, the committee made some changes that will help minimize risk for participating players and also add some clarity to the current language within the rules book.”
The NFHS Board of Directors accepted the neck guard rule and four additional rule alterations. They will go into effect for the 2024-2025 season.
A press release said, “Mandating neck laceration protectors, which is detailed in the new Rule 3-4-4 in the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, furthers the NFHS’ commitment to risk minimization and the health and safety of participants and aligns the national rules with the measures taken by many state high school associations and youth hockey leagues across the United States.”
Back in January, USA Hockey mandated neck protection for all players under the age of 18.
These decisions came after former UMD Bulldog Adam Johnson died after taking a skate blade to the neck during a game overseas in the Elite Ice Hockey League in 2023.