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’s Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL) from May 1^st 2024.

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. Prior to today’s 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.

The IIHF has announced they will mandate the use of neck guards for all IIHF competitions as of 2025.

The following guidance is provided to teams on the acceptable standard and use of neck guards:

• Neck guards must be fit for purpose ice hockey neck laceration protectors, and be ISO or BNQ certified.
• Neck guards must be worn as they are designed to be used there should be no modification to their design.

The New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation continues to strongly recommend the use of neck guards at all levels of competitive and social ice hockey throughout New Zealand.