USA Hockey is very concerned about neck lacerations and the potential catastrophic involvement of arteries, veins and nerves. To date there are no data to describe the prevalence of such an occurrence, the severity, or whether or not a neck laceration protector (neck guard) reduces risk or severity.

USA Hockey began collecting data in December 2007 through an e-mail survey of 417,000 registered USA Hockey players to learn more about this injury and the effectiveness of currently available neck laceration protectors. It expects to have results compiled in time for USA Hockey's Annual Congress June 4-8, 2008, in Colorado Springs.

Some teams/leagues/districts have mandatory use rules in place and all USA Hockey players can choose to wear one of several available designs.