I just watched a video of the Malarchuk accident. I was wondering how many of you guys make your goalie wear throat protection asside from the body/arm protector which provides little if any protection for the neck. Here's a link if you don't know what video I am refering to. Malarchuk Video

I had never seen the video before, but I had heard about players who had suffered similar accidents and have always stressed that my daughter wear a neck guard.

She actually prefers a skater's guard (bib type) to the one included with her armor (comfort). However, like the one with the armor, it only provides protection for about 1.5 inches of neck above the collarbone.

With regards to to the goalie helmet coming off, I have always found it strange how easily goalie helmets come off as compared with skaters helmets. And considering that goalies are involved in some of the worst pileups (as far as defenseless players go) that occur on the ice, I'm surprised nobody has addressed this issue with better safety requirements for goalie helmets.

Keeping the hat on the head (with flappers mandatory too!) would be the best protection against these kinds of accidents.

My son wears one from KOHO (now rbk). It's sleveless, has additional sternum plate and covers a fair amount of his neck. He didn't like it at first, but I don't give him an option not to. Also has the clear throat guard that's attached to his mask.

look here

Actually I just ordered that exact one, plus a new one to attach to his helmet. I Always knew this was a concern since our goalies are so often down on the ice around those skate blades but seeing that video really hit it home. I do know the odds are incredibly against that but no sense in taking any chances.

My son wears the bib style that goes under his chest/body armour. I don't remember the brand, but it has higher throat coverage than many of the others we checked.

I have never seen that video before...that really hits home. Thanks for sharing the info.

Mom of '95 Goalie, Plano, TX

As a coach, I believe it best for goalies to wear both the neck guard that fits like a turtle neck and the lexan guard that hangs down from the mask, as each provides different protection.

While the padded "turtle neck" can help much more against skate blades to the neck, such as in the Malarchuk accident, it doesn't help too much against impact from the puck on direct shots to the neck area.

Conversely, the hanging shield is much better for protection against shots as it is away from the neck. However, since it swings around, it isn't as effective against skate blade contact.

Also, teach your goalies to put their chin down toward their chests on high shots toward the neck area as the newer goalie masks have the hard chin portion that can protect the neck on shots if it is flush to the chest in addition to the neck guards.

You can't be too careful. USA Hockey is now making coaches wear helmets on the ice and it makes sense.

Lastly, make sure the kids have good knee pads as well. It seems to me that a lot of goalies are not wearing additional knee protection since they are wearing the leg pads higher these days. The knee is still vulnerable to shots and hitting the ice when they butterfly, so knee pads in addition to the leg pads is also a smart idea.

Bets of luck.

Thanks for the input. Thankfully he thought the bib style throat protector was pretty cool so no issues with him wearing it.