Officials under 18 must wear a neck laceration protector
Rule numbers: USAH 501(c)
The neck-protection rule reaches officials too. Rule 501(c) now makes neck laceration protection mandatory for every on-ice official under 18 and strongly recommends it for officials 18 and older. A new casebook situation adds a detail that is easy to miss: for officials, HECC certification is strongly recommended but not required, so any protector designed for the purpose meets the rule for an under-18 official. The rest of 501(c) is unchanged: black trousers, the official sweater with the current officiating crest on the left chest, and a black helmet with the chin strap fastened and an unaltered half-shield visor. Mentors of young officials should check this at the rink door.
All officials under the age of 18-years are required to wear a neck laceration protector designed for that purpose.
Example
A 16-year-old linesperson arrives for a 10U game without a neck guard. The senior official makes sure the young official puts on a neck laceration protector before going on the ice.
Common mistake: Assuming officials need a HECC-certified guard, or ignoring the rule because the person is an official rather than a player.
Sources
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 501(c), p. 155 (PDF p. 189)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Casebook Rule 501 Situation 5, p. 163 (PDF p. 197)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Rule Change Summary, Rule 501(c)
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