09/26/2026
Can we talk about the neckguard requirement in hockey for a moment? It is now year 3 with the addition of the USAHockey rule requiring all youth (18u-6u) wear a neckguard. Rule 304 in the USAHockey handbook says it "should be worn as intended". Neckguards should be worn not only at games, but practice and even private coaching lessons.
Being worn in the manner in which they were intended doesn't mean wearing it rolled down, under itself to where it looks like a shirt collar, or not having the back velcro fastened allowing the front of the neckguard to gap open. It also means the standalone variety should not be rolled up. And it should actually BE a neckguard and not a mock turtle neck
Parents, it's time you did your duty as a parent and not allow your kid to wear their gear improperly. God knows you are going to blame everyone else and probably sue, but here's a little known fact. You can indeed not let your kid play if they can't follow simple rules. It is ok to tell your children "no".
Coaches, you need to be responsible adults while coaching. It is also permissable for you to sit an athlete who won't follow rules. I know most coaches are detail driven, they can see a missed assignment or a blown call, so I know they can see when an athlete isnt wearing the proper equipment, it just doesn't register on their give a s**t meter. I'm telling you right now, it needs to matter because you will get sued (and lose) because you let someone practice or play without the proper safeguards.
Referees, I know a whole lot of you, and I really like a whole lot of you as well. So friend to friend. Please do better. It takes me 20 seconds during warm up's to clock neckguard, chinstrap and earguard violations, you should be doing that as well. And every faceoff you need to take a quick look at the 10 skaters out there (should take about 5 seconds) to see if their helmet is buckled, the neckguard is pulled up and then dole out the proper punishnent. Kids sitting for 10 min misconducts because they dont have earguards or a neckguard worn properly (or too much "hang", too loose of a chinstrap, sleeves rolled up exposing elbow and wrist guards) will start to fix the problem.
This was sent to me today, alledgedly occured at a practice this week. Youth hockey player......we are all collectively pushing our luck, eventually one of these won't be so lucky
