Best neck guards for youth hockey players – 2025 guide

If you’re the parent of a hockey player, you already know that safety is non-negotiable.

One mistake. One collision. That’s all it takes.

In 2022, a youth hockey player died on the ice after a skate blade slashed his neck. In 2023, an NHL prospect barely survived a similar injury. And the tragic death of pro, Adam Johnson, also in 2023, was a stark reminder of how vulnerable players are. These injuries aren’t anomalies – lacerations happen at a staggering rate.

That’s why USA Hockey finally instituted a neck guard mandate in 2024.

The problem? Most neck guards provide superficial protection, leaving players and parents alike with a false sense of security.

We tested and researched the best youth hockey neck guards on the market, breaking them down by protection, comfort, performance, and innovation.

Our pick: Titan BattleGear Cut-Resistant Integrated Neck Guard - Youth

The best protection money can buy, with a patented velcro-free stretch collar and contoured coverage.

ANSI A8/A9 cut resistance that’s way beyond the industry standard. It’s built to resist the force and sharpness of a full-speed skate blade. For a deep dive on cut-resistance levels with real life examples, click here.
Our proprietary cut-resistance is built into the collar, bib/clavicle, and wrists for maximum all-around coverage.
Moisture-wicking, breathable fabric to prevent overheating
Exceeds USA Hockey’s 2024 mandate
Youth-specific sizing, all the way down to a 4yr old for those learn-to-skate players.
Dozens of colors, novelty prints, and custom team designs.

Why we love it: Let’s be blunt – we made this neck guard because every other neck guard on the market fails where it matters most. We weren’t satisfied with A3-rated fabric pretending to offer real protection, so we built something that will resist a skate blade.

A loose neck guard is a useless neck guard – if it moves, it fails. Our Stretch ProCurve™ collar, with a patented velcro-free design, molds to the contours of the neck, creating a zero-gap fit that won’t twist, ride up, or shift. It locks in place like a second skin. Arc~Guard™ curves up under the ear, to ensure maximum coverage of the jugular vein/carotid artery, while avoiding bunching under the chin and the back of the neck.

Our neck guard shirts use the highest level of cut-resistant materials available – up to A9 (on the ANSI scale of A1-A9)

Bonus: Our colorful drips, limited drops, and custom team designs make your kids actually want to wear their neck protection!

Downsides: If price is your #1 concern, buy something else. If safety is your priority, this is the only real choice.

Youth price: $159. Shop here.

Runner-up: Cut Shield TechPro+ Shirt Youth

A high-performance cut-resistant base layer with A6-level protection.

ANSI A6 cut resistance: built to defend against high-impact skate contact
Integrated neck and wrist protection
Moisture-wicking and lightweight design
Meets USA Hockey’s 2024 mandate

Why we like it: The CS TechPro Youth Shirt is one of the few options that meets the threshold for real protection. With an ANSI A6 cut resistance rating, it offers significantly more security than entry-level A3-rated gear. The integrated base layer design eliminates shifting, and its moisture-wicking fabric keeps players comfortable. Unlike mass-market options, Cut Shield is designed for serious protection. It’s a full-base layer with an integrated cut-resistant neck guard add-on. It’s affordable, widely available, and fits comfortably for most players.

The downsides: It’s not quite at Titan’s A8/A9 level, but it’s one of the best alternatives available. You also have to measure your own neck and manually select the right neck guard size. If you get it wrong, the fit could be off and, in protective gear, fit is everything. The wrong size means gaps, movement, and compromised protection. If you don’t measure perfectly, you’re rolling the dice. No fun colors or team styles.

Youth price: $49.99 - $114.97, depending on selections. Shop here.

Also consider: CCM Pro Cut Resist A6 Neck & Wrist Guard

A strong A6-rated option, but only if your kid can fit into an adult size. CCM didn’t bother making a youth version.

Integrated cut-resistant collar for improved protection
Full moisture-wicking base layer
BNQ-certified but only rated at ANSI A3, significantly lower than Titan’s A8/A9 protection
Velcro closure at the neck, which can be a hassle

Why we like it: The CCM Pro Cut-Resist A6 Neck & Wrist Guard is one of the few neck guards that meets ANSI A6 standards, providing a strong level of defense against skate lacerations. The integrated neck and wrist guards offer additional coverage where players are most vulnerable, and the moisture-wicking fabric ensures comfort. For those who can fit into an adult size, this is a solid option.

The downsides: CCM doesn’t make this for youth players. If your kid doesn’t fit into an Adult Small, they’re out of luck; in protective gear, a poor fit often means poor protection. This leaves parents guessing on fit, which isn’t ideal when safety is on the line. No fun colors or team styles.

Adult Small Price: $179.99. Shop here.

Neck guards to avoid

Warning: these neck guards may be BNQ-certified and meet USA Hockey compliance, but they are not built to resist a full-force skate blade. If your child is wearing one of these, they are unprotected:

Bauer NeckProtect Youth – Anything under A6 cut resistance protection should be automatically disqualified. Bauer’s neck guard shirt comes in at an A3, providing a minimal level of cut-resistance, far below simulated skate blade incident tests.
CCM Tacks TNG4 Neck Guard Shirt – The CCM TNG4 only meets ANSI A3 standards. This level of protection is actually less than most denim jeans, which test out at an A4 on the TDM-100 lab test.
Aycane Blade EVO Base Layer Long Sleeve Youth – The non-velcro collar is a plus, but its cut-resistance is an A2, the lowest in the our testing, which fails to meet safety standards for skate blade incidents (A6+).
Shock Doctor Ultra 2.0 Neck Guard Youth – BNQ-certified but only meets ANSI A3/A4 standards.
Sherwood Pro Shirt with Neck Guard Junior – Again, BNQ-certified, but comes in at ANSI A4.
Skate Armour Shirt Youth – Close, but doesn’t quite cut it at ANSI A5.

For a full report from the NHL and NHLPA, click here.

How to choose the right neck guard

1. Cut-Resistance + Coverage = Safety

Look for products with ANSI A8/A9 cut resistance – anything less than A6 is just basic compliance, not real protection. Check out the Mayo Clinic’s study to determine cut-resistance levels where your neck guard starts to resist a skate blade. While it’s a bit dated (2015), every neck guard in the test failed except for one.

2. Cut-Resistance + Coverage = Safety

Velcro neck guards – and even worse, standalone velcro neck guards – shift and move during gameplay, leaving critical areas of the neck exposed. New technologies such as Titan’s Stretch ProCurve™ collar with Arc~Guard™ contoured coverage maximizes protection while staying in position throughout play.

3. Performance

Hockey is a high-intensity sport, and an uncomfortable neck guard can be distracting. Moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics help players stay cool and focused. Velcro-free design prevents hair from catching as well as the discomfort and constant adjustment required to fasten velcro at the perfect tension.

4. Style

Players should be excited about their gear, and a cut-resistant baselayer is no different. Bold colors, prints and custom team designs get the entire squad feeling cool and confident to conquer their game.

The bottom line

If safety or style is the priority, there is no decision to make. Titan BattleGear is the only youth hockey neck guard built for true protection. Safety is not a preference, it’s a necessity. But if budget is more important than protection, you have cheaper options.

There are only two types of neck guards: those built to resist a blade and those built to meet the minimum compliance requirements. Purchase accordingly.

Where to buy

Titan BattleGear Neck Guards – buy now
CS TechPro Youth Shirt – buy now
CCM Pro Cut Resist A6 Neck & Wrist Guard (adult sizes only) – buy now

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments or message us – we’ll help you find the right gear for your player.

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