Equipment Requirement 

Full Equipment is Required:

Certified Helmet with Cage

Shoulder/Chest Pads

Elbow Pads

Shin/Knee Pads

Pants

Hockey Gloves

Hockey Skates

Hockey Stick

Neck Protector and Mouth Guards are STRONGLY recommended for all players

Mouth Guards are required for PEEWEES, BANTAMS and MIDGETS

Helmets, Mouth Guards, Neck Guards 

HELMET: 

HECC certified helmets are MANDATORY for ALL SWS Players.

The helmet sticker must be intact and have a valid date.

Both straps are MANDATORY and MUST BE Fastened.  Any player without a chin strap will NOT be allowed to skate.

see excerpt from USA Rule Book Below

MOUTH GUARDS:

All players in the PEEWEE, BANTAM, and MIDGET divisions are REQUIRED to wear a mouth piece, as required by USA Hockey.  A warning will be issued by the official for the first violation of this rule, and the player will not be allowed to play until a mouth piece is used.  A second violation during the game will result in a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation. 

SWS Strongly Advises that ALL players in ALL divisions, including MITES and SQUIRTS, wear a mouth piece for safety.  It also ensures that MITES and SQUIRTS be accustomed to wearing them, as they can take a little getting used to.

see excerpt from USA Rule Book Below

NECK GUARDS:

Neck guards are not currently required by USA Hockey; however, SWS and USA Hockey, HIGHLY recommend use.

This is a very inexpensive piece of equipment that can prevent a serious injury from a skate blade cut.

see USA Hockey Recommendation Below

Excerpt from Rule 304:  

Helmets:

(c) It is mandatory that all players (except Adults) wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with chin strap properly fastened.

(Note) HECC certification includes an expiration date on the sticker and a helmet that has an expiration date that has expired is no longer considered certified. The player may not wear a helmet that does not have a valid and current certification sticker.

(d) All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a facemask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the Facemask

Mouth Guards:

(f) All players, including goalkeepers, in the 12 & under (Youth and Girls’) through Youth 18 & under (including High School) and Girls’ 19 & under age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. It is strongly recommended, in all classifications, that all players wear a mouthpiece form fitted by a dentist.

For the first violation of this rule, the team shall be issued a warning. A misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game

Neck guards are not a requirement at any level, but they are HIGHLY recommended.

USA Hockey is very concerned about neck lacerations and the potential catastrophic involvement of arteries, veins and nerves. To date, there is sparse data to describe the prevalence of such an occurrence, the severity, or whether or not a neck laceration protector (neck guard) reduces risk or severity. Based on a survey of USA Hockey players, neck lacerations from a skate blade are rarely serious, but the potential for severe consequences due to nerve, artery or vein involvement remain a concern. In addition, current neck laceration protector designs do not eliminate the risk of a neck laceration. USA Hockey recommends that players wear a neck laceration protector, choosing a design that covers as much of the neck area as possible. Further research & improved standards testing will determine the effectiveness of these devices.“