USAH Mouthguard & CHC Neck Guard Policy
USAH Rule 304 Protective equipemant:
Mouthguards are required for 12U and older.
f) All players, including goalkeepers, in the 12 & under (Youth and Girls’) through Youth 18 & under (including High School) and Girls’ 19 & under age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. It is strongly recommended, in all classifications, that all players wear a mouthpiece form fitted by a dentist.
For the first violation of this rule, the team shall be issued a warning. A misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game.
In addition to hockey skates, full protective equipment is required to play ice hockey. The following is required:
- Helmet (HECC certified)
- Shoulder and Chest Protector
- Elbow Pads
- Hockey Gloves
- Cup or Pelvic Protector
- Shin Pads
- Hockey Socks
- Hockey Pants
- Neck Guard is required by CHC-see full policy
- Mouth guard (for Peewee and older)
- Stick
More information:
CHC Neckguards- All Teams/Players
Effective March 1, 2022, All players registered to a CHC member program are required to wear an unmodified, BNQ-certified neck protector specifically designed for the purpose of preventing or lessening the severity of lacerations to the neck. This requirement applies to any participant in any sanctioned on-ice event, including but not limited to games, practices, tournaments, jamborees, etc.
CHC does not endorse any particular manufacturer or model but joins USA Hockey in its recommendation to choose the guard that provides the most neck coverage possible for each particular player. Substitution of non-conforming alternatives such as skate towels or socks worn around the neck will not constitute compliance.
USA Hockey officials in Connecticut will be charged with enforcement of this CHC rule. At the beginning of each game, all players will be surveyed, and any found to be without a neck guard will be instructed to leave the bench until such time as they are wearing an approved neck guard. Once the game has begun, the first instance of any player found without a neck guard during play will cause a warning to both benches. Subsequent occurrences will result in a misconduct penalty to the offending player.
In games involving non-CHC teams whose affiliates do not require neck guards, those teams will not be subject to this rule. CHC teams playing outside of Connecticut will be expected to follow this rule, regardless of official enforcement.
- All players on USA Hockey teams governed by the CHC affiliate must wear BNQ-certified neck laceration protectors for all games, both in-state and out-of-state
- Out-of-state teams playing in CT are not required to wear such protection unless mandated by their affiliate
- Officials are encouraged to discuss this with coaches during the pregame chat to avoid any surprises when the game starts
- For a 1st violation, the player will be sent off the ice, and the team will be given a warning
- For a 2nd violation by any player on a team who has been previously warned, the player will be assessed a misconduct