USA Hockey Requiring Neck Guards for Players and Officials 17 and Under Starting August 1st

DULUTH, Minn — Last October, much of the hockey world was shocked by the tragic death of a player. Former UMD Bulldog Adam Johnson died after his neck was cut by another player’s skate. Following the incident, the USA Hockey Congress began looking into rule changes related to neck protection for its hockey players.

This past weekend they announced that all players and on-ice officials 17 and under must wear the neck laceration equipment during games and practices starting this August. The Duluth Amateur Hockey Association was aware that changes were likely and are ready for the rule change.

“Everybody saw it coming. It was just a matter of when it was going to be mandated. Now we’ve got what, 6, 7 months to make sure that everybody buys this piece of equipment,” said DAHA executive director Bob Nygaard.

DAHA has about 750 kids who will be affected by this rule change. It is estimated that only 5 to 10 percent of them currently wear the protective piece of equipment. One reason for that number being so low is that given the rareness of that type of neck injury, many players and parents haven’t seen it happen firsthand.

“If you look at all the hockey games and all the practices that have been played, this rarely, rarely, rarely happens. But it’s one of those when it does, it’s not like okay we’re wearing faceguards to protect your teeth. Teeth can be replaced. This can’t. And I think kids, it’s never come into play because they haven’t seen it happen,” said Nygaard.

There are two kinds of neck guards, stand-alone guards as well as shirts with the neck guards attached. Both have been in high demand since the incident but local stores such as Stewart’s Bikes and Sports still have some in stock with more expected to arrive in March.