On Wednesday, an NHL source confirmed to ESPN that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will require neck guards to be worn throughout the 2026 Olympic hockey tournament. BBC Sport was the first to report the mandate, a landmark decision that represents the most significant global safety shift our sport has seen in decades.
And there’s another historic layer: the 2026 Games will feature NHL players for the first time since 2014, putting this new rule directly in front of the sport’s biggest stars and the largest worldwide audience hockey has had in more than a decade.
The world’s biggest hockey stage just declared neck protection essential
The Olympics don’t move quickly, and they don’t make decisions without serious data, medical backing, and global consensus.
This mandate is a clear statement:
Neck protection is no longer optional. It’s now part of standard equipment.
Every player stepping onto Olympic ice – NHL players included – will wear neck protection in 2026. That visibility matters. What happens on the Olympic stage shapes the rest of the sport for years.
We believe this is the moment where neck guards stop being “extra” and become expected.
The majority of neck guards won't stop a skate blade
Let's call it what it is: traditional neck guards were never built for the speed, skill, and chaos of hockey in 2026.
The average cut-resistance of products in the market is A3, far below the A6 required to stop a skate blade (as proven by the Mayo Clinic study).
And the rest of the design flaws aren't much better:
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Velcro collars that are uncomfortable, unfasten, and are rarely fastened correctly to protect the player
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Low coverage, leaving critical areas exposed, or too much coverage, bunching under the chin with excess material
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A2 or A3 cut resistance, which is basically saying, "we'll try our best" in a sport where "trying" can lead to tragedy (more on ANSI cut ratings here)
- All black, cheap Chinese fabrics lacking breathability, advanced wicking and odor control
Titan BattleGear has been building for this moment since day one
While the rest of the industry kept recycling the same strap-on collars and calling it "innovation," we’ve been busy designing the future. We didn't react to these mandates, we led it before others woke up.
✔ A9 cut resistance (Titanotex™)
Most collars tap out at A2 or A3 (far below the A6 needed to stop a skate blade). We bring A9 cut protection to the table – the highest cut resistance used in hockey today. Compare Titan to other brands here.
✔ ArcGuard™ Coverage - Patent Pending
Our contoured collar is shaped around the most vulnerable parts of the neck, while reducing bunching under the chin and behind the head.
✔ Stretch ProCurve™ collar - Patent Pending
Our Velcro free stretch technology means no shifting, gapping, or choking. This collar moves with you, not against you.
Why players have been choosing Titan BattleGear for years
Everyone talks. Parents talk to each other. Coaches exchange ideas. Players chirp.
Here's what they say:
- "It's the only thing my kid will actually wear."
- "No velcro is a game-changer!"
- "It fits like a performance shirt, not equipment."
- Read hundreds more here
Titan delivers:
- A9 protection (ANSI scale A1-A9), with A6 being the absolute minimum you should be wearing
- Full, gap-free coverage
- Moisture-wicking materials that keep players cool
- Bold colors and team designs
- A guard you forget you're wearing (because that's the point)
- Already approved by the NHL
- Already approved by USA Hockey
- The only major brand that's HECC certified, USA Hockey's newly required certification as of Aug 2025
Titan is thrilled to see players at the highest level adding a much needed piece of safety equipment to their bag. We look forward to partnering with these elite players for this event and beyond.
