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PHOTOS BY Getty Images; USA Hockey Magazine Hockey + Health 30 // AUGUST 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM W hen it comes to head protection on the ice, the researchers at Virginia Tech University want you to know that all helmets are not created equally. S i n c e 2 01 1 , t h e y h a v e c o n d u c t e d e xt e n s i v e research on a variety of protective head gear, includ- ing hockey helmets, with the goal of creating an unbiased rating system that will allow consumers to make an informed decision when purchasing a helmet. This work is independent of any funding or influence from helmet manufacturers. H e l m e t s a r e e v a l u a t e d t h r o u g h a s e r i e s o f i m p a c t t e s t s designed to replicate a broad range of head impacts that athletes are likely to experience. These ratings identify the helmets that best decrease forces to the head, which may reduce your chances of sustaining a concussion. With that said, it's important to note that any player in any sport can sustain a head injury with even the very best head protection. Helmets are only one piece of the equation to minimizing concus- sion risk. According to Virginia Tech researchers, every helmet currently on the market meets minimum safety requirements specified by standards organizations. Ratings help to identify which helmets best reduce the force delivered to the head. More stars equate to better protection, with 5 stars representing the best helmets available. To learn more about the research being done at Virginia Tech and to see a complete list of helmet ratings, go to VT.edu/helmet. P Use Your Head To Protect Your Head k In youth sports, safety is a top priority, so check- ing your equipment happens before taking your first step on the ice. That all-familiar HECC certification sticker on your equipment lets you know that your equipment has met the standards that the Hockey Equipment Certification Council has chosen as the safest cur- rently available for ice hockey. It may not always be clear if your equipment is certified. First, the certification of a helmet has a life span of seven years from the time it was manu- factured. (It is not the date that you purchased it.) Before purchasing, check the date. The HECC sticker will have the date the helmet will be decertified. Do not remove the HECC sticker. Removal of the HECC sticker automatically decertifies the helmet. To see if your helmet or facemask is certified, check the HECC website at HECC.net. Selecting A Better Helmet Make sure to buy a helmet that fits securely and is HECC certified. The HECC Sticker On Your Helmet Will Tell You If Your Helmet Is Past Its Prime