Neck guard
Encyclopedia
A neck guard is a piece of protective equipment worn by ice hockey
players around the neck area. The guard is to prevent injury to the neck by pucks, hockey sticks, and skate blades.
This piece is critical to goaltenders, who are more likely at risk to be injured in this area. Goalie Clint Malarchuk
suffered a severe injury during a game in 1989 when two players collided in front of his goal and one player's skate caught on his neck, slicing open his internal carotid artery
. He most likely would have died were immediate medical help not available. Ever since then, NHL regulations have required goalies to wear neck guards.
On February 10, 2008, Florida Panthers
forward Richard Zedník
was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Buffalo Sabres
' zone, when teammate Olli Jokinen
lost his balance after being checked by Clarke MacArthur
. Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, and his right leg flew up and struck Zedník directly on the side of the neck, hitting Zedník's carotid artery
. Clutching his neck, Zedník raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood. When he arrived, he nearly fell into the arms of a team trainer. He recovered fully from the injury.
The neck guard contains fabric that is BNQ certified. Most neck guards have a moisture system which let's the player keep cool while working so their neck guard won't get hot.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
players around the neck area. The guard is to prevent injury to the neck by pucks, hockey sticks, and skate blades.
This piece is critical to goaltenders, who are more likely at risk to be injured in this area. Goalie Clint Malarchuk
Clint Malarchuk
Clint Malarchuk , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League between 1981 and 1992, and is currently an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames...
suffered a severe injury during a game in 1989 when two players collided in front of his goal and one player's skate caught on his neck, slicing open his internal carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....
. He most likely would have died were immediate medical help not available. Ever since then, NHL regulations have required goalies to wear neck guards.
On February 10, 2008, Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
forward Richard Zedník
Richard Zednik
Richard Zedník is a Slovak professional hockey winger, currently without a contract. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, and Florida Panthers....
was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
' zone, when teammate Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
lost his balance after being checked by Clarke MacArthur
Clarke MacArthur
Clarke MacArthur is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Sabres in the third round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. MacArthur started his NHL career with the Buffalo Sabres, and was later...
. Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, and his right leg flew up and struck Zedník directly on the side of the neck, hitting Zedník's carotid artery
Carotid artery
Carotid artery can refer to:* Common carotid artery* External carotid artery* Internal carotid artery...
. Clutching his neck, Zedník raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood. When he arrived, he nearly fell into the arms of a team trainer. He recovered fully from the injury.
The neck guard contains fabric that is BNQ certified. Most neck guards have a moisture system which let's the player keep cool while working so their neck guard won't get hot.