{"id":10623,"date":"2024-04-14T15:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-14T03:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nzicehockey.co.nz\/?p=10623"},"modified":"2024-04-12T11:21:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T23:21:09","slug":"nzihf-statement-on-neck-guards-for-nzihl-and-nzwihl-competitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nzicehockey.co.nz\/nzihf-statement-on-neck-guards-for-nzihl-and-nzwihl-competitions\/","title":{"rendered":"NZIHF Statement on Neck Guards for NZIHL and NZWIHL Competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation will mandate the use of neck laceration protection (neck guards) for players in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) and New Zealand Women\u2019s Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL) from May 1st<\/sup>\u00a02024.<\/p>\n

Following recommendations from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and in-line with the increasing adoption rates of neck laceration protection by national federations around the world, all players and goalies in the NZIHL and NZWIHL will be required to wear neck guards during all on-ice activity, including trainings and games.\u00a0Prior to today\u2019s announcement, all players under 20 years of age have been required to wear neck guards regardless of level of competition, and this will now be enforced regardless of player age for both premier senior competitions.<\/p>\n

The IIHF has announced they will mandate the use of neck guards for all IIHF competitions as of 2025.<\/p>\n

The following guidance is provided to teams on the acceptable standard and use of neck guards:<\/p>\n