USA Hockey Officially Mandates Youth Protection Equipment

The USA Hockey Congress approved legislation at its Winter Meeting on Jan. 28, 2024, that will require use of neck laceration protection (sometimes referred to as neck guards) for players in all age classifications, other than adults, in games and practices -- as well as for on-ice officials under the age of 18 -- beginning August 1, 2024. For clarity, this includes youth, girls and junior age classifications. USA Hockey continues to strongly recommend the use of neck laceration protectors for adult players.

Francis Howell Hockey will follow this mandate and we encourage our players to begin use of this protective equipment as soon as possible.  We will not allow any players on the ice after August 1, under any circumstances, that are not compliant with this mandate.

USA Hockey has created a FAQ section on their webpage: https://www.usahockey.com/playersafety