The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced Thursday that all high school hockey players will be required to wear neck laceration protection while competing.
Dan Schuster, NFHS Director of Educational Services and liaison to the Ice Hockey Rules Committee, said, “The committee has done a great job over the past few years to ensure the rules are in a very good place. “It is being treated as such,'' he said. “After intense discussion this year, the committee has made several changes to minimize risk to participating players and clarify the current language in the rulebook.”
The NFHS Board approved the neck guard rule and four additional rule changes. These are scheduled to take effect in the 2024-2025 season.
“The requirement for neck laceration protectors, detailed in new Rule 3-4-4 of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rulebook, demonstrates NFHS' commitment to risk minimization and participant health and safety,” the press release states. “This will strengthen cooperation at the national level.” The rules are in conjunction with measures taken by many state high school associations and youth hockey leagues across the country. ”
Back in January, the United States Hockey Association mandated neck protection for all players under the age of 18.
These decisions were made after former UMD Bulldog Adam Johnson died in 2023 after sustaining a neck injury from a skate blade during an Elite Ice Hockey League game overseas.
