The NHL made a bunch of minor modifications to last year’s rules. This year? Not so much.
The updated NHL rulebook is out, and it’s got only one rule change for this season:
Neck Protection Mandated for New Players
All NHL players entering the league this season will be required to wear cut-resistant neck guards. That means Toronto’s Gavin McKenna will be sporting one his entire NHL career.
Current players – anyone with at least one game of NHL experience – are exempt from the rule.
Here’s the rule:
9.8 Neck Protection – Beginning in the 2026-2027 season, players (including goalkeepers) who have zero games of NHL experience must wear cut resistant protection on the neck area with a minimum cut level protections score of A5, in accordance with the ANSI/ISEA standard. Neck protection must be used in the manner it was intended. No modifications such as rolling, taping, cutting, etc., will be permitted.
Neck protection must be worn in all games including during pre-game warm-up.
On that last part, keep in mind that in 2022 the NHL mandated helmets in warm-ups for all players entering the league after the 2019-20 season.
The IIHF mandated neckguards in 2023 after a serious on-ice incident involving a skate blade to the neck resulted in the death of Adam Johnson during a game in England.
“You’ve seen some horrible, horrible incidents around the globe,” said Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, earlier this year. “The game has gotten so fast, so stuff happens at a high pace… We’re very fortunate in the league that we play, our staffs are very, very prepared, which I am very, very grateful for.”
The AHL and ECHL have mandated neckguards since the 2024-25 season. The Canadian Hockey League also requires them for players across the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL). NHL players were all required to wear neck protection during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“It can be an adjustment,” Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs said during the Olympics. “It’s not bad, honestly. I don’t think many guys love it, but I think once you kind of get out there and you’re moving around, you don’t really notice it as a much.”
No word on if National Hockey League officials will also be required to wear neck guards. Referee Dan O’Rourke became the first NHL official to voluntarily wear one back in 2024; he’s worn it ever since.
The AHL and ECHL have mandated cut-resistant neck guards for officials since 2024. The IIHF requires officials at all levels to wear neck protection.
Grab your copy of the 2026-27 NHL Rulebook
Here’s a look back at NHL rule changes throughout the years:
