USA Hockey is very concerned about neck lacerations and the potential catastrophic involvement of arteries, veins and nerves. To date there are no data to describe the prevalence of such an occurrence, the severity, or whether or not a neck laceration protector (neck guard) reduces risk or severity.

USA Hockey began collecting data in December 2007 through an e-mail survey of 417,000 registered USA Hockey players to learn more about this injury and the effectiveness of currently available neck laceration protectors. The results were released during USA Hockey’s Annual Congress June 4-8, 2008, in Colorado Springs. Click here to download the presentation.

Some teams/leagues/districts have mandatory use rules in place and all USA Hockey players can choose to wear one of several available designs.

USA Hockey announced that Dr. Alan B. Ashare has been named president and chief executive officer of the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC), effective immediately. One of the nations foremost experts in the prevention of spinal cord and other sports-related injuries, Dr. Ashare has made precious contributions to the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program on and off the ice.

The USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy was put in place to curb disruptive behavior which may interfere with other spectators or participants of a game.

>>>ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY (PowerPoint)

Ice hockey participation in the United States continues to increase with the expansion of youth, high school and junior programs. Opportunities for girls and women grow every year. Ice Hockey requires speed, power, and teamwork. The unique nature of the game of hockey results in specific injury patterns, some of which can be avoided.