USA Hockey and CHC Neck Guard & Mouthguard Policies

Neck Guards: Required for ALL PLAYERS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS

Mouthguards: Required for ALL PLAYERS 12U AND OLDER

CHC Neck Guard Policy

Effective March 1, 2022, All players registered to a CHC member program are required to wear an unmodified, BNQ-certified neck protector specifically designed for the purpose of preventing or lessening the severity of lacerations to the neck. This requirement applies to any participant in any sanctioned on-ice event, including but not limited to games, practices, tournaments, jamborees, etc.

CHC does not endorse any particular manufacturer or model but joins USA Hockey in its recommendation to choose the guard that provides the most neck coverage possible for each particular player. Substitution of non-conforming alternatives such as skate towels or socks worn around the neck will not constitute compliance.

USA Hockey officials in Connecticut will be charged with enforcement of this CHC rule. At the beginning of each game, all players will be surveyed, and any found to be without a neck guard will be instructed to leave the bench until such time as they are wearing an approved neck guard. Once the game has begun, the first instance of any player found without a neck guard during play will cause a warning to both benches. Subsequent occurrences will result in a misconduct penalty to the offending player.

In games involving non-CHC teams whose affiliates do not require neckguards, those teams will not be subject to this rule. CHC teams playing outside of Connecticut will be expected to follow this rule, regardless of official enforcement.

• All players on USA Hockey teams governed by the CHC affiliate must wear BNQ-certified neck laceration protectors for all games, both in-state and out-of-state
• Out-of-state teams playing in CT are not required to wear such protection unless mandated by their affiliate
• Officials are encouraged to discuss this with coaches during the pregame chat to avoid any surprises when the game starts
• For a 1st violation, the player will be sent off the ice, and the team will be given a warning
• For a 2nd violation by any player on a team who has been previously warned, the player will be assessed a misconduct

USA Hockey Neck Guard Policy

USA Hockey Congress Approves Requirement For Neck Laceration Protection Starting August 1st, 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The USA Hockey Congress today approved legislation requiring the use of neck laceration protection for players in all age classifications, other than adults, in games and practices, as well as for on-ice officials under the age of 18, effective August 1, 2024. For clarity, the requirement includes players in the youth, girls and junior age classifications.

USA Hockey has long recommended the use of neck laceration protection, as well as cut-resistant socks, sleeves or undergarments. The USA Hockey Board of Directors asked the organization’s Safety and Protective Equipment Committee in November 2023 to begin the process of recommending potential rule changes related to neck laceration protection.

“Safety is always at the forefront of our conversations and the action of our Congress today reflected that,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. “We appreciate the significant work done by our Safety and Protective Equipment Committee, led by Dr. Mike Stuart, and the many others who were instrumental in the overall evaluation process.”

“I know throughout our organization, the overwhelming opinion was that the time is appropriate to modify our rules related to neck laceration protection,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “We’re also encouraged that the hockey industry is committed to continuing to work to improve the cut resistant products that protect players to help influence the safest possible landscape for the game.”

The legislation passed today also strongly recommends use of neck laceration protection by adult players.

For more information, including frequently asked questions, click here.

USA Hockey Mouthguard Policy

USA Hockey Rule 304 Protective Equipment:

Mouthguards are required for 12U and older.

f) All players, including goalkeepers, in the 12 & under (Youth and Girls’) through Youth 18 & under (including High School) and Girls’ 19 & under age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. It is strongly recommended, in all classifications, that all players wear a mouthpiece form fitted by a dentist.

For the first violation of this rule, the team shall be issued a warning. A misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game.

USA Hockey Equipment Policy

In addition to hockey skates, full protective equipment is required to play ice hockey. The following is required:

• Helmet (HECC certified)
• Shoulder and Chest Protector
• Elbow Pads
• Hockey Gloves
• Cup or Pelvic Protector
• Shin Pads
• Hockey Socks
• Hockey Pants
• Neck Guard is required by CHC - see full policy above
• Mouthguard (12U Pee Wee and older)
• Stick