What is head contact and concussion protocol in Ice Hockey?

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Full face protection: Mandatory for all IIHF skaters (cage or full visor). This differs from the NHL, which only requires a visor. Greatly reduces facial and dental injuries.
Neck guard: Mandatory for goalkeepers. Strongly recommended for all skaters following high-profile blade laceration incidents.
Equipment inspection: Referees may inspect player equipment at any time. Non-compliant equipment results in a minor penalty for delay of game.

Head contact rule: Any check where the head is the principal point of contact is penalised, regardless of whether the checker intended head contact. Penalties range from minor + misconduct to match penalty depending on severity.
Concussion protocol: Any player suspected of a concussion must immediately leave the ice and be evaluated by the tournament physician in the quiet room. The player may not return to the game until cleared through the IIHF concussion protocol, which includes cognitive testing, balance assessment, and symptom monitoring.
Return to play: A player diagnosed with a concussion must follow a graduated return-to-play protocol supervised by medical staff before being cleared for competition.

Blood rule: Any player with visible bleeding must leave the ice immediately and may not return until the bleeding is controlled and all blood-stained equipment is cleaned or replaced.
Emergency equipment: A defibrillator (AED) and emergency medical equipment must be immediately accessible at all IIHF competitions. The arena must have an emergency action plan with direct ambulance access to the ice surface.
Blade laceration: The most serious acute injury risk. Emergency protocols include immediate pressure, on-ice first aid, and pre-arranged hospital transport routes.

Safety glass: Tempered glass or polycarbonate shielding above the boards protects spectators from errant pucks while allowing visibility. Higher sections behind the goals (typically 2.4 m / 8 ft above boards).
Netting: Protective netting above the safety glass behind both goals to prevent pucks from entering spectator areas.
Bench and penalty box gates: Must open away from the ice surface. Bench doors must have secure latches to prevent accidental opening during play.
Ice surface: Resurfaced during each intermission. Divots and damage repaired by the ice crew. Competition may be delayed if ice quality compromises player safety.

Full face protection: Mandatory for all IIHF skaters (cage or full visor). This differs from the NHL, which only requires a visor. Greatly reduces facial and dental injuries.
Neck guard: Mandatory for goalkeepers. Strongly recommended for all skaters following high-profile blade laceration incidents.
Equipment inspection: Referees may inspect player equipment at any time. Non-compliant equipment results in a minor penalty for delay of game.

Head contact rule: Any check where the head is the principal point of contact is penalised, regardless of whether the checker intended head contact. Penalties range from minor + misconduct to match penalty depending on severity.
Concussion protocol: Any player suspected of a concussion must immediately leave the ice and be evaluated by the tournament physician in the quiet room. The player may not return to the game until cleared through the IIHF concussion protocol, which includes cognitive testing, balance assessment, and symptom monitoring.
Return to play: A player diagnosed with a concussion must follow a graduated return-to-play protocol supervised by medical staff before being cleared for competition.

Blood rule: Any player with visible bleeding must leave the ice immediately and may not return until the bleeding is controlled and all blood-stained equipment is cleaned or replaced.
Emergency equipment: A defibrillator (AED) and emergency medical equipment must be immediately accessible at all IIHF competitions. The arena must have an emergency action plan with direct ambulance access to the ice surface.
Blade laceration: The most serious acute injury risk. Emergency protocols include immediate pressure, on-ice first aid, and pre-arranged hospital transport routes.

Safety glass: Tempered glass or polycarbonate shielding above the boards protects spectators from errant pucks while allowing visibility. Higher sections behind the goals (typically 2.4 m / 8 ft above boards).
Netting: Protective netting above the safety glass behind both goals to prevent pucks from entering spectator areas.
Bench and penalty box gates: Must open away from the ice surface. Bench doors must have secure latches to prevent accidental opening during play.
Ice surface: Resurfaced during each intermission. Divots and damage repaired by the ice crew. Competition may be delayed if ice quality compromises player safety.