Ice hockey is a thrilling sport that combines speed, skill, and intense physical competition. But behind the excitement lies a critical commitment to player safety that goes far beyond simply enforcing rules.
To dive deeper into this important aspect of the game, we sat down with Kevin Margarucci, Manager of Player Safety at USA Hockey, to understand the complex world of protecting athletes at every level.
With nearly two decades of experience as a high school hockey coach and a background in sports medicine and athletic training, Kevin brings a unique perspective to his role – which, interestingly, was a brand-new position when he first stepped into it back in 2015.
Q&A: Understanding Player Safety in Hockey
Q: Can you define player safety for us? What exactly falls under this umbrella in hockey?
When it comes to player safety, there are actually two distinct areas. In the National Governing Body (NGB), such as youth hockey, and high school hockey worlds, SafeSport covers off-ice aspects like background screenings and required trainings. My focus is on the on-ice safety aspect – the medical and health safety.
This includes everything from the USA Hockey safety committee’s policies to concussion management programs and equipment standards. We’re constantly evaluating how we can make the game safer for players at every level.
Q: Tell us more about neck laceration protection – why is this such an important focus for USA Hockey?
Over the past decade, I’ve been deeply involved with neck laceration protection conversations. Even though it’s a rare injury, we’ve seen fatal incidents that have prompted us to take a closer look. Initially, we recommended neck laceration protection, but these recent events led our discussions towards a mandate for this piece of equipment. That went into effect for the 2024-25 season.
However, starting in the 2025-26 season, neck laceration protectors will still be mandatory, and must be HECC certified. We’re providing a transition period where both BNQ and HECC certifications will be accepted for the first two years, recognizing that product availability might take some time. For the 2027-2028 season and beyond, only HECC-certified neck laceration protectors will be permitted.
Q: Can you explain the collaboration between USA Hockey and HECC?
The collaboration with HECC has been invaluable. They’ve been around since the 1970s, and our relationship is built on a shared mission to make hockey as safe as possible. HECC representatives actively participate in our winter and annual meetings, presenting and discussing equipment standards.
We’re constantly looking at how equipment can be improved. Just because there’s a minimum standard doesn’t mean manufacturers should stop innovating. We want companies to continue pushing the boundaries of safety technology.
Q: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about player safety in hockey?
People often think that a lack of visible action on rule changes means nothing is happening. But that’s not true. In the safety world, we’re always moving forward – it’s just that research and making informed decisions takes time. We don’t want to change rules just for the sake of changing them.
We collaborate closely with medical professionals from various specialties – orthopedics, sports medicine, dentistry – who observe conditions and raise awareness about potential safety improvements. USA Hockey’s partnership with Mayo Clinic, which funds important research, helps us make informed decisions.
Q: How important is education in preventing hockey injuries?
Education and awareness are absolutely key. At the youth hockey level, coaches, parents, and players are our first responders. We’re not asking them to be medical experts, but we want them to have enough awareness to recognize when something might be wrong and get a player the right help.
We’re constantly working to improve our educational resources. This includes a new learning management system planned for rollout soon, where coaches will have personalized profiles; a safety newsletter published twice a year; an “Ask Dr. Hockey” column in our monthly USA Hockey Magazine; and district safety coordinators who can push local messaging.
Q: What advice do you have for addressing the culture of toughness in hockey?
In hockey, and contact sports in general, there’s often a “tough it out” mentality. But we’re seeing a cultural shift. Professional sports are different from youth sports, and we want young players to understand it’s okay – and important – to speak up about injuries.
One thing we’ve done at USA Hockey that I am proud of is we partnered with the Concussion Legacy Foundation on a “Team Up Against Concussion” program. During the last week of October, we encourage teams to name concussion captains who give speeches about the importance of speaking up – similar to a “see something, say something” approach.
Q: Looking ahead, what are USA Hockey’s biggest player safety priorities?
We’re constantly reviewing our rules, understanding that most penalties exist for safety reasons. We’re excited about evolving technology – from helmets to protective gear. Our goal is never to settle for the status quo.
We’re particularly interested in the development of standards for cut-resistant equipment and exploring how gear like shoulder pads and elbow pads can be designed to reduce injury risks. For instance, we are interested in learning how impact from shoulder or elbow pads can be reduced to potentially reduce risk of injury.
Final Thoughts
Kevin’s passion for player safety is evident. For him and his team at USA Hockey, it’s not just about rules and regulations, but about creating a culture where every player’s health and well-being are paramount. As hockey continues to evolve, so too will the approach to keeping athletes as safe as possible while playing the game they love.
