How to Select a Hockey Neck Guard

With so many styles and designs, choosing a hockey neck guard can be difficult, so IW wants to help you shop for one as easy and as fun as possible.

Neck Guards are an essential piece of protective equipment that covers the neck and throat to reduce the risk of lacerations caused by sharp hockey skate blades. They are a smart investment for hockey players of all levels, regardless if they are mandatory in your specific league.

If they are mandatory, the first step is to shop for a hockey neck guard that meets your league certification requirements, which may either be BNQ or CE. Many hockey neck guards have both BNQ and CE certifications, but some may only have one or the other. For some players, such as adult recreational hockey leagues, neck guards are optional and they may choose any neck guard, regardless of certification.

Now you might be wondering, what are BNQ, CE and HECC certifications? Depending on your country and hockey league, protective equipment such as helmets, face protection, and neck guards require specific safety standards that brands and manufacturers need to meet. In regards to neck guards, they must meet these guidelines such as testing (resistance to skate blade contact) and fabrication (quality, material). There are currently two standards applied for neck guards; BNQ and CE with the hopes of HECC applying their standards as well. It's important to know your hockey league and if they require a certified BNQ or CE-certified hockey neck guard, which will have their respective symbol stamped on the product.

• BNQ: Bureau de normalisation du Québec - Hockey Canada and Ringette Canada have required players in minor leagues across Canada to wear neck protectors which are BNQ certified. Any neck guard with a BNQ certification meets the cut-resistant standards and can be worn by these hockey players.
• CE: Conformité Européene - This marking means that the hockey product, which has been manufactured anywhere in the world, has met the European health, safety, and environmental protection standards for hockey leagues within the European Union. Neck guards with CE markings can be worn in such leagues that require certified neck guards.

• HECC: Hockey Equipment Certification Council - Applied to leagues within USA Hockey, HECC sets the standard for player helmets, goalie masks, as well as face and eye protection. Leagues within the USA require HECC certification for these pieces of equipment. While USA Hockey does not currently require certified neck guards, there are current discussions on having HECC set safety standards and have hockey players be mandated to wear hockey neck guards.

There are a few different styles when it comes to player hockey neck guards; Collar, Bib, and Shirt. It comes down to personal preference and what will be most comfortable for you. Neck guards also come with different levels of performance features, like the addition of foam protection for impacts or higher quality materials for more comfort.

Hockey Neck Guard Collars are a standard option for many players and provide the required coverage around the neck and throat. It's simply strapped around the neck and secured with a Velcro strap. As mentioned earlier, more expensive models come with additional impact protection like the Aegis Interceptor, which has D3O Smart Foam to help guard against impacts taken from pucks, sticks and other players. Higher-end neck guards will also offer a more comfortable fit, as they will utilize softer and more flexible materials that help give the neck guard a more contoured fit around the neck, while base model neck guards tend to be stiffer.

Bibbed Hockey Neck Guards are standard neck guard collars that come with an extra attachment integrated into the collar called a bib. This design fits the same as the collar by wrapping around the neck and throat but providing extended cut protection to the top of the chest and collarbone. This style is great for the player seeking an extra piece of mind and wanting the most amount of coverage possible. This style also helps the neck guard stay in place better than a standard collar, as the bib is worn underneath the shoulder pads which helps lock it down and prevents the collar from twisting or moving during gameplay.

While being the most expensive yet offering the most comfort are base layer shirts with an integrated cut-resistant neck guard. Designed directly into the shirt, these are great for obtaining important neck protection while benefiting players with the performance qualities of the base layer. Many come with moisture and odor control and some even come with additional wrist cut protection so you have even more coverage against sharp skate blades! The neck guards on these shirts are soft and contour the neck really well, providing a fit that is so seamless that you'll forget you're even wearing one.

As mentioned, cut protection is a vital piece of equipment that every player should take into consideration. At IW, we not only offer cut-resistant neck guards but also wrist and ankle protection, two other key areas prone to skate laceration. Hit the buttons below to check out our affordable selection and get the protection you need to keep skating safe!