Hockey is a fast-paced game on ice that requires players to wear many different types of equipment to keep them safe. Almost their whole body is covered with equipment. They have a helmet for the head, elbow pad for the elbows, leg pads for the knees and shins, pants for the upper leg, a chest protector for the ribs and sternum, and so forth. The one part of the body that has the least amount of protective equipment is the neck. Youth hockey players, who play at a level where the game is slower, typically must wear a neck guard, although many teens have decided not to follow the rules and thus play without a neck guard. However, when players are adults, wearing a neck guard is not required. Based on the recent death of a professional not wearing a neck guard, the rules may soon change.
Even non-hockey fans have seen or heard what happened in the UK with former NHL player Adam Johnson. In one of my classes, people were talking about the video. This tragedy has led to more awareness that not all players wear neck guards. I remember that on my youth teams, teammates complained about wearing neck guards. In my opinion, though, neck guards should be required at all levels because it provides a basic level of protection in case a situation presents itself. Players wear protective gear for all other parts of the body, so why not on the neck?
It only makes sense for players at every level to wear a neck guard. It is a basic protection for a vulnerable area that players would not otherwise cover. Every other area of the body is covered. Some people may say that it is uncomfortable, which is understandable, but as more people wear it, better technology will emerge. Then there will be better neck guards that provide more comfort. Until then, to stay safe, players should wear neck guards, even if they seem uncomfortable, and the possibility of injury seems remote.
