Neck guard
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A neck guard (also called a Kim Crouch collar) is a piece of protective equipment worn by players around the neck area, particularly by (though not exclusively) players in the ice skating team sports of
History
The guard was developed in
In Canada, neck protectors worn by ringette and ice hockey players must contain fabric that is BNQ certified and approved. BNQ stands for Bureau de normalisation du Québec. Based in Quebec, BNQ is an organization that created the standard for cut-resistant neck guards. The test requires the neck guard have a certain amount of coverage that is determined by standards that BNQ developed. The test is a blade on a swinging test apparatus that is run across the neck guard to test for cut penetration. One such example of neck guards of this type are manufactured by Bauer Hockey.[3]
Most neck guards have a moisture system which helps keep the guard cool, ensuring the player's neck won't become too hot while working.
On January 28, 2024, USA Hockey, the governing body for ice hockey in the United States placed a mandate that began on August 1, 2024 in which all players and on-ice officials under the age of 18 are required to wear neck laceration protection that is "that is commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose." Despite an adult exemption, USA Hockey still strongly recommends adult players use neck guards.[4][5]
Notable injuries
Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk suffered a severe injury during a game against the St. Louis Blues on March 22, 1989, when Steve Tuttle collided in front of Malarchuk's goal and his skates got caught on the front of Malarchuk's neck, slicing open his internal jugular vein. Malarchuk made a full recovery, but would have almost certainly died if medical assistance was not provided. Ever since then, many National Hockey League (NHL) goaltenders have worn neck guards, such as Henrik Lundqvist, Marc-André Fleury, and Semyon Varlamov. However, it isn't required for NHL goaltenders to wear them.
On February 10, 2008, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zedník was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Buffalo Sabres' zone, when teammate Olli Jokinen lost his balance after being checked by Clarke MacArthur. Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, his right leg flew up and struck Zedník directly on the side of the neck, hitting Zedník's external carotid artery. Clutching his neck, Zedník raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood along the way, and nearly falling into the arms of a team trainer. He fully recovered from the injury. Neck guards have been mandatory for all players in Sweden following the 1996 death of Bengt Åkerblom in a similar accident.[6]
On October 28, 2023,
References
- ^ Oviatt, Dale (12 February 2008). "Crouch still feels effects of his brush with death". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ISBN 9781554076444. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ^ "SUPREME Neck Guard". BAUER. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ Hockey, U. S. A. (2024-01-28). "USA Hockey Congress Approves Requirement For Neck Laceration Protection Starting August 1". USA Hockey. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ www.usahockey.com https://www.usahockey.com/layout_container/show_layout_tab?layout_container_id=8032247&page_node_id=908022&tab_element_id=13541. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
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(help) - ^ Miller, Rusty (13 February 2008). "Malarchuk can relate to Zednik's injury | The Spokesman-Review". The Spokesman–Review. Retrieved 22 February 2021.