Goalie Neck Protectors Mandatory in CF Hockey Program
By Mike Doucet
Mike Doucet National Sports Coordinator PSP, CFPSA Ottawa
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It’s no secret that playing sports for a living is not the primary role of Canadian Forces personnel. Despite growing overseas commitments and the fact that CF members have less of an opportunity to participate in sports, the CF Sports Program continues to play a prominent role in promoting fitness and good health within the military community. Sports inspire CF members to improve their physical fitness, build leadership and self-discipline skills, as well as encouraging teamwork, loyalty and commitment. The CF Sports Program is also committed to ensuring that CF members participating in sports adhere to the safety guidelines set forth by Sports Canada, its governing body, as well as rules put in place by the Canadian Forces National Sports Office.
This article focuses on the drop-down Goalie Neck Protector, commonly referred to as the “Floppy”. This polycarbonate or lexan plastic item is used by some goaltenders in the civilian sector as an optional piece of equipment designed to add increased protection to the neck area. The CF National Sports Office, with the full support of its CF Hockey Chief Officials, has concluded that the benefits of wearing the “Floppy” significantly outweigh the minor disadvantages. Consequently, use of the drop-down throat protector became mandatory for all CF ice hockey programs in November 2005.
A common complaint is that the “Floppy” is hard to see through when searching for the puck near the skates as it tends to fog up if not properly cared for. On the flip side, proponents of the “Floppy” say harder shots to the neck area are happening more often from redirected shots and a hit in certain spots can be extremely painful and dangerous to the neck and throat even when wearing a neck guard or “bib”.
The CF National Sports Office is well aware that the chin portion of newer goalie masks are designed to help reduce blows to the neck area. Nevertheless, the requirement for CF goalies to wear a “Floppy” will remain in place to provide further protection to the sides and front of their neck area.
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