Watching the Olympic Games this year, you might have noticed a significant shift in the gear landscape: elite players on the world stage are now prominently wearing neck laceration protection. What was once seen as "optional" or "just for kids" has become a vital piece of the uniform, serving as a stark reminder that protecting your neck is non-negotiable.

Choosing the right guard is about more than just grabbing the first one you see. Here is the upgraded guide to the safest neck protection available today.

What Actually Makes a Neck Guard "Safe"?

Before looking at brands, you need to understand the "non-negotiables" for your gear bag.

• The Certification Trinity: 

• HECC (USA safety standards,products are tested for performance to nationally recognized test standards by an independent testing organization) certification. These prove the guard has been independently tested

• BNQ (the Canadian standard for safety certification, it validates that products meet specific, often regulatory, safety standards) 

• CE (a mandatory conformity mark indicating that a product meets essential EU health, safety, and environmental protection standards, has nothing to do with laceration protection levels).

• ANSI Cut Resistance (Aim for A6-A9): Materials are rated from A1 to A9. For hockey, you want A6-A9 to withstand the force of a razor-sharp skate blade in a real game.

• Advanced Materials: Modern guards use tech like Kevlar (Kevlar has 1000's of various levels of armor, check your level before you put your trust in the material) , Dyneema , and Titanotex™—fabrics designed specifically for high-speed, sharp impacts.

• Video of an ER nurse explaining neck protection in hockey.

   

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Top Contenders: Pros and Cons

Cut-Resistance + Coverage = Safety. 

The mass market brands have excessive coverage (which means bunching and folding), but have little to no cut-resistance. Other brands have decent cut-resistance, but only cover the bottom half of the neck, leaving critical areas exposed. Choosing a guard often comes down to balancing protection with comfort and price.

Navigating the Rules: From the Pros to the Youth

Safety standards are evolving rapidly across all levels of the game. Keeping up is essential for staying eligible to play.

The NHL (New Mandatory Rules)

The NHL has officially moved toward mandatory protection as part of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA):

• Starting 2026-27: Neck guards will be mandatory for all players making their NHL debut.

• Grandfather Clause: Any player who has appeared in at least one NHL game prior to the 2026-27 season is exempt from the requirement and can choose whether to wear one.

• The Trend: This follows the AHL, which already mandated neck protection for all players starting in the 2024-25 season.

International Play & The Olympics

• IIHF Mandate: The International Ice Hockey Federation now requires neck laceration protectors at all levels of IIHF competition.

• 2026 Winter Olympics: All players competing in the Milano Cortina Games, including NHL stars, are required to wear neck protection.

Youth Hockey (USA & Canada)

• USA Hockey: Since August 1, 2024, neck protection is mandatory for all youth age classifications. Currently, an HECC stamp or BNQ certification will suffice for a neck guard to be legal. By the 2027-28 season, all guards must carry a HECC stamp.

• Hockey Canada: BNQ-certified neck protectors remain mandatory for all players in minor and female hockey (ages 20 and younger).

Final Thoughts: Prioritize Your Safety

The "safest" neck guard is the one you actually wear every time you hit the ice. While the players at the Olympics have made it look standard, the real goal is ensuring you walk off the ice without any extra holes every shift.

Pro Tip: When choosing, prioritize fit and likelihood to wear properly over what’s easy. A guard does nothing if it slides down or only covers minimal area and leaves your neck exposed, or if it is left in your bag.