It’s a good idea to try to protect as much of your body as possible when playing ice hockey since skate blades are as sharp as razor blades and pucks are flying all over the rink. And let’s not forget the danger high sticks can cause.
While many minor and junior hockey leagues in North America and across the world make the wearing of neck guards mandatory, NHL players aren’t required to wear them during an NHL game. This means that NHL players can decide whether or not they want to wear a neck guard.
The NHLPA Update After 2023 Freak Accident
In October 2023, the EIHL community mourned the tragic loss of former NHL player Adam Johnson, who succumbed to a severe skate-related injury to the neck.
The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates. https://t.co/kgLN8bf0RV pic.twitter.com/fYEiuGw0yC
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 29, 2023
Since the accident, it is believed that the NHLPA will be working on new neck protection rules and equipment regulations to ensure the safety of its players in the next contract.
I decided to check out the current contract Collective Bargaining Agreement and the NHL Rulebook, and there is nothing currently mentioned about neck protection of any kind.
I think it is time this changes and we protect the players in all hockey leagues, including the NHL.
What Does the Hockey Neck Guard Do?
An ice hockey neck guard is designed to protect a player’s neck area from cuts which can be caused by sticks and skate blades. However, other than goalie neck guards, they provide minimal protection from pucks.
What’s the Hockey Neck Guard Made of?
Most neckguards are made of reinforced materials such as nylon, foam, Velcro, and Kevlar. In addition, you’ll be able to find undershirts that look like a turtleneck sweater and come outfitted with a protective neck guard. Most types of neck guards contain a moisture-wicking system which is designed to keep them cool while players are wearing them.
In Canada, ice hockey neck protectors must contain materials which have been approved and certified by the Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec (BNQ). This organization created the standard for current cut-resistant neck guards. To be approved and certified, the neck guard must cover a certain amount of the neck and offer specific protection. The neck guard is tested by running a sharp blade across it to test for any type of cute penetration.
Get Your Own Neck Guard if You Play Hockey
I think I need to add this section because most readers likely play some sort of hockey. Whether it’s competitive or drop-in, you should be wearing a neck guard to protect yourself.
There are standard neck guards that wrap around your neck, but they have nice bib-style ones now that offer more protection. You can even consider a baseshirt that has a neck guard included in the design.
Choose Your Neck Guard Below:
| Neck Guard Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Bauer Neckprotect Long Sleeve Baselayer Top | See Latest Price |
| CCM Neck Guard Long Sleeve Baselayer | See Latest Price |
| BAUER Premium Neck Guard with Bib | See Latest Price |
| CCM 900 Cut Resistance Neck Guard | See Latest Price |
| Bauer NLP21 Premium Senior Neck Guard (Canadians Option) | See Latest Price CAD |
Do NHL Goalies Have to Wear Neck Guards?
While some NHL goalies wear neck guards or collars, it’s strictly a personal choice as they aren’t required to wear them according to current NHL rules. Goaltenders aren’t required to wear throat protectors either but most chest and arm protectors also protect the throat area.
In addition, most goalies wear a piece of solid equipment known as a ‘dangler,’ which is a piece of protective gear that attaches to the front of their helmet/mask. These are typically clear in colour and are made of strong polycarbonate material. Some netminders wear both a throat guard and dangler for added protection from sticks, pucks and skates.
Do NHL Referees Wear Neck Guards?
NHL referees don’t have to wear neck guards but may do so if they choose. However, they must wear a helmet and a visor at all times. But in many minor and junior leagues across the globe you’ll find that referees and linesmen are required to wear a neck guard.
Has there Ever Been Neck Injuries in the NHL?
There have been a few neck injuries in the NHL that resulted from skate blades making contact with a player’s neck.
1. Goaltender Clint Malarchuk 1989
The first serious incident occurred in Buffalo on March 22nd 1989 when Sabres’ goaltender Clint Malarchuk came close to losing his life during a game against the St. Louis Blues. Blues’ player Steve Tuttle’s skate blade partially sliced open Malarchuk’s jugular vein and carotid artery.
The goalie’s life was saved by a quick-thinking team trainer named Jim Pizzutelli, who was a former US Army medic who had served in the Vietnam War. The gruesome incident caused two fans in attendance to suffer heart attacks, while 11 reportedly fainted and several players vomited on the ice.
Malarchuk needed 300 stitches to close the cut and lost 1.5 litres of blood in the incident. Remarkably, he returned to the ice 10 days later.
2. Richard Zedník 2008
Another similar serious incident took place in Buffalo on February 10th, 2008 when forward Richard Zedník of the Florida Panthers had his neck cut open by the skate of falling teammate Olli Jokinen. The front and side of his neck was lacerated as well as his carotid artery. Fortunately, Zednik fully recovered.
Injuries Outside of the NHL
There have been serious injuries and deaths outside of the NHL because of neck related injuries.
1. In recent news, October 2023, in the EIHL, former NHL player Adam Johnson succumbed to a severe skate-related injury to the neck. This tragic/freak accident happened when an opposing players skate flew up high into the air after they attempted a bodycheck on another player.
This has hit the hockey world hard, and many are beginning to question the safety equipment players are wearing.
2. Sadly, 28-year-old centre Bengt Akerblom lost his life in 1995 while playing for Mora IK in his homeland of Sweden. He had his carotid arteries sliced by a skate during an exhibition contest against Brynas IF on October 15th and didn’t survive. All ice hockey players in Sweden were then mandated to wear a neck guard beginning on January 1st, 1996.
The hockey worlds thoughts and prayers go out to the Johnson and Akerblom families.
So… Why Don’t many NHL Players Wear Neck Guards?
Hockey has always been viewed as a macho game by players and that’s why they went decades without wearing helmets until they were mandated in 1979 for incoming players while goaltenders didn’t even start wearing facemasks on a regular basis until the 1960s.
Many players feel that neck guards are uncomfortable and some of them have stated that the equipment could possibly deflect a skate blade to a higher area of the neck, which could possibly result in a worse injury.
Even though there have been some serious neck injuries over the years, they haven’t really occurred frequently enough to see NHL players start wearing neck guards on a regular basis. With more serious injuries happening, hopefully we see this change soon.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.