Hockey Neck Guard Review 2024

Unfortunately, one of those circumstances happened recently.

And it was a worst case scenario.

Adam Johnson, a former NHL forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died after his neck was cut by another player’s skate during a game in Sheffield, England.

The fatal collision, viewed as a “freak accident”, happened midway through the second period of an Elite Ice Hockey League game between Johnson’s Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers.

The video replay footage showed an opposing player’s skate strike Johnson in the neck following a collision with another player. What followed was a chaotic scene that prompted officials to empty the arena as medical personnel raced to respond.

Johnson was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead, the South Yorkshire Police said. He was only 29 years old.

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Real Life Case Study Of How It Saved A Young Life

Pros And Cons Of Neck Guard Hockey Gear

Cons:

1. Hockey neck guards can feel cumbersome. If you have never worn one before it will take some getting used to. They can feel restrictive, cause itching, and additional sweating.
2. Potential interference with other equipment. In some cases, the neck guard may ‘catch’ on other pieces of equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads, which can be distracting during play.
3. Neck guards can offer a false sense of security. The truth is that even neck guards done guarantee you are safe from a neck injury while on the ice.
4. The overkill factor. The truth is that in hockey, like other fast physical sports, there is always risk. Some players might feel that neck guards really aren’t necessary since these types of injuries are so rare. Other players may not think they look “cool” while having to wear one. This is especially true for many of us old traditional beer league players who have played for decades without one.

Pros:

• A hockey neck guard can save your life. Period.
• Protection from other mishaps: I for one have suffered a laceration to the neck from a high stick before. Neck guards can protect a player’s neck from potential cuts and lacerations caused by sticks, skate blades, and anything else.
• Added confidence. Knowing your neck has some protection can help you feel more confident and less apprehensive on the ice.
• They may become mandatory in some leagues. Many youth hockey leagues make it mandatory for players to wear neck guards. And now because of the latest incident, some professional leagues are adopting them into the rules as well.
• The tech is making them more comfortable. High-tech light and comfortable materials such as KEVLAR are making neck guards more comfortable and easier to wear without sacrificing safety.

Hockey Goalie Neck Guard

Hockey goalie neck guards, also called goalie throat guards, have been around for decades.

Goalies are obviously at a much higher risk of getting a skate, stick, or puck in the throat area. 

You can find a nice selection of goalie throat guards located here. 

Wrapping It Up

I grew up playing youth hockey in the early 1970’s in Minnesota.

Back then, we wore leather skates and equipment that was heavy and cumbersome compared to today’s gear.

We also didn’t wear any facial protection back then. That all changed as we approached the late 1970’s and leagues started mandating facial protection in the form or a mask or shield (visor).

I think the neck guard may be the next piece of equipment that will be mandated for kids and worked up the league chains.

Times change and gear evolves.

When someone dies on the ice, perhaps change is needed.

You might also want to check out: Are used hockey skates worthwhile?

You might also like: What is beer league hockey?

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