Neck Guards in Hockey One Piece of Equipment No Player Should Ignore
Protecting our young hockey players shouldn't be optional. Here's why neck protection matters more than ever.
As hockey parents, we spend a small fortune making sure our kids have the right equipment.
Helmets? Check. Shoulder pads? Check. Shin guards, gloves, elbow pads, mouthguards? Check, check, check!
But there's one piece of equipment that, for years, didn't always receive the attention it deserved.
The neck guard.
And unfortunately, it has taken some heartbreaking tragedies to remind the hockey community just how important this relatively small piece of equipment can be.
Remembering Teddy Balkind
For those of us in Connecticut, the name Teddy Balkind is one we'll never forget.
In January 2022, Teddy, a 16-year-old student at St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Connecticut, suffered a fatal neck injury involving another player's skate during a hockey game.
A young life lost. A family devastated. A hockey community heartbroken.
Then, in October 2023, professional hockey player Adam Johnson died after suffering a skate-blade injury to his neck during a game in England.
Sadly, these weren't the first serious skate-blade neck injuries in hockey.
Clint Malarchuk (1989): The Buffalo Sabres goaltender suffered a severe neck laceration during an NHL game. He survived following emergency treatment.
Richard Zednik (2008): The Florida Panthers forward suffered a serious neck injury from a teammate's skate and survived following emergency surgery.
Teddy Balkind (2022): The Connecticut high school hockey player tragically lost his life.
Adam Johnson (2023): The former NHL player died following a skate-blade injury during a professional game in England.
These are four widely documented cases, not a complete count of hockey skate-blade injuries. Serious incidents are uncommon, but their consequences can be devastating.
And there's another story worth knowing.
The Young Goalie Whose Neck Guard Made a Difference
In 2022, Minnesota youth goaltender Evan Smolik was struck in the neck by another player's skate during practice.
He was wearing a neck guard.
According to an Associated Press report, Evan suffered a serious injury to his jugular vein, but the guard helped prevent damage to his carotid artery. Thanks to emergency medical care, he survived.
His story is a powerful reminder of why protective equipment matters.
Neck guards cannot eliminate every risk. But they can help reduce the severity of an injury when the unexpected happens.
And in hockey, unexpected things happen FAST.
Neck Guards Are Now Required in USA Hockey Youth Programs
Thankfully, hockey organizations have taken important steps toward making neck protection a standard part of the game.
Beginning August 1, 2024, USA Hockey required neck laceration protection for players in youth, girls, high school, and junior classifications during practices and games. The requirement also applies to on-ice officials under 18.
Adult players aren't covered by that mandate, but USA Hockey strongly recommends neck protection for them as well.
And here's the important part: Not all neck guards offer the same materials, coverage, or fit.
Simply wearing something around your neck isn't the whole story.
What Makes a Good Hockey Neck Guard?
When choosing a neck guard for your young player, there are several things worth looking at.
1. Cut-resistant materials
Look for protective materials specifically designed and tested to resist cuts. Products may use Spectra fibers, Kevlar, or other specialized textiles.
2. Coverage
The neck contains major blood vessels, including the carotid arteries and jugular veins. Look for a guard that covers as much of the exposed neck as possible, including the sides. Not all neck guards include protection of these critical areas.
3. A secure fit
A neck guard that rolls down, shifts, or leaves large gaps during play may expose vulnerable areas. It should remain properly positioned throughout skating and normal movement.
4. Comfort
Let's face it. If your young player constantly complains about a scratchy, bulky neck guard, getting them to wear it correctly becomes a battle.
Comfort matters because consistency matters.
5. Recognized safety testing
Look for relevant hockey neck-protection certifications, such as BNQ, and review the manufacturer's documentation. ANSI cut-resistance ratings can provide additional information about materials, but they're not interchangeable with hockey-specific neck-protection testing.
A Closer Look at Skate Armor
One product that deserves particular attention is Skate Armor.
What makes Skate Armor interesting isn't simply its marketing. Its neck protection technology was included in a published 2014 study examining how different hockey neck guards performed against skate-blade contact.
The researchers tested several protectors under controlled conditions. At the higher 600-newton test force, Skate Armor was the only product tested that consistently resisted penetration in all trials.
That's a significant result, although it doesn't mean the product is cut-proof or that every current model will perform identically to the model tested in 2014.
Skate Armor's design incorporates several noteworthy features:
Spectra-based cut-resistant material designed to resist skate-blade lacerations.
Contoured neck coverage extending around the front, back, and sides.
Patented side tabs designed to help prevent the guard from folding or sliding downward.
Breathable construction intended to improve comfort during play.
Optional impact inserts on certain models, offering a different form of protection from the cut-resistant fabric.
Skate Armor also offers an integrated protective shirt with neck and wrist coverage.
I particularly like the idea of designing protection around the actual vulnerable areas of the neck, rather than treating a neck guard as just another piece of fabric.
You can learn more at Skate Armor.
What About Neck Guard Shirts With Built-In Wrist Protection?
Here's another area where hockey equipment has come a long way.
Instead of wearing a separate neck guard, players can now choose base-layer shirts with integrated neck protection.
Some also include cut-resistant wrist or forearm protection.
Why does that matter?
Because neck injuries aren't the only serious injuries caused by skate blades.
In 2022, Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane suffered a significant wrist injury when another player's skate blade cut his arm during a game.
The wrist and forearm contain important blood vessels, nerves, and tendons, making them another area worth protecting.
Here are several options for hockey families to investigate:
Skate Armor Integrated Protective Shirt
Combines Skate Armor's contoured neck guard design with cut-resistant wrist protection. Some configurations offer removable impact-protection inserts.
Explore Skate Armor's protective shirt
Warroad TILO Neck & Wrist Base Layer
Developed by a company co-founded by NHL player T.J. Oshie, Warroad's TILO line offers integrated neck and wrist protection with cut-resistant materials.
Bauer Cut-Resistant Neck Protection
Bauer offers standalone neck guards and integrated base layers with Kevlar-based cut-resistant neck protection. Some newer models also incorporate wrist protection.
CCM Cut-Resistant Protective Base Layers
CCM offers protective tops with integrated neck protection, including models designed with cut-resistant wrist coverage.
When comparing options, pay close attention to the specific model, since the protection varies across the lineup.
Winnwell Integrated Neck & Wrist Base Layers
Winnwell also offers shirts combining neck and wrist protection, including youth sizes.
These can be worth considering for families who prefer an all-in-one approach.
So Which Neck Guard Should You Buy?
There's no single answer that fits every player.
A younger player might prefer a lightweight standalone guard. Another might be more comfortable wearing a protective shirt with the neck guard already built in.
Some families may want additional wrist protection, while others may prefer to combine separate protective pieces.
Whatever you choose, remember:
The best neck guard is one that provides appropriate protection, fits correctly, and stays on for every shift.
Don't assume the most expensive product is automatically the safest. Compare coverage, testing, materials, comfort, and fit.
And remember that no neck guard can guarantee protection against every injury.
Parents, Coaches, and Players: Let's Make Safety Part of the Game
One thing I've always loved about youth hockey is how much kids learn beyond skating, passing, and shooting.
They learn teamwork. Responsibility. Discipline. Respect.
And I believe safety should be part of that education from the very beginning.
Wearing a neck guard shouldn't be something kids do just because the referee or coach requires it.
It should become as natural as putting on a helmet.
Parents can reinforce that habit. Coaches can make equipment checks part of the pre-practice routine. And older players can set an example for younger teammates.
That's the kind of hockey culture I'd love to see us continue building.
Let's Keep Our Kids Safe — And Keep the Conversation Going
At Rink Rater, we're building more than a place to review hockey arenas.
We want to help hockey families share experiences, learn from one another, and make the sport safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
So I'd love to hear from you!
What neck guard does your player wear?
Have you tried an integrated protective shirt? Does your child prefer a particular brand or design? Have you found something that stays in place and is comfortable enough that your player doesn't even think about it?
Share your experiences with the Rink Rater community.
Because sometimes the most helpful advice comes from another hockey parent who's already been there.
Protect your neck. Protect your wrists. Play smart. Play hard.
And as always...
Know Before You Go! 🏒
