USA Hockey has made an important decision to mandate neck laceration protection for all players under the age of 18. This move by the governing body of hockey in the United States comes in response to the tragic death of a player in England who suffered a skate blade injury to the neck. The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the need for cut-proof gear in the sport.
The new rule will take effect on August 1st, allowing for necessary supply chain and production delays to ensure that neck guards are readily available. This decision follows a similar action taken by the International Ice Hockey Federation, which has mandated neck guards for players at all levels in the tournaments it oversees.
