'If I Had The Option, I Wouldn't': Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna Shares Opinion On Wearing Mandated Neck Guard

Beginning this 2026-27 season, the NHL enforced a mandate that players entering the league this year, without previous NHL experience, must wear a neck guard in games.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, 18-year-old rookie Gavin McKenna is the only player on the current roster who must wear the neck guard. The same applies to Ivar Stenberg, Trevor Connelly, and any other player who made their NHL debut this season.

Following the Maple Leafs' morning skate on Monday, ahead of their matchup against the Calgary Flames, McKenna was asked about what it's been like to wear the neck guard through the young season.

"I mean, I wore it in the (WHL) and in world juniors, so I've gotten used to it," McKenna said. "If I had the option, I wouldn't wear it, but I have to wear it. So it's not too bad."

McKenna only wears the neck guard when he has to, as he hasn't worn it during practices or even at morning skates.

The youngster may not like wearing that protective gear, even though it admits it's not much of a bother, but earlier this season, a member of the team was likely saved by another piece of equipment.

In the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, he was caught in the ankle by the skate blade of Jake Evans. He stepped away from the game for a moment, as he did receive a cut, but it could've been much worse, as he was able to return to the game.

He admitted later that his cut-resistant socks prevented a far worse injury that might've kept him sidelined longer than he initially was.

For McKenna and his neck guard, hopefully he doesn't receive an injury scare like McCabe did earlier this season, but the extra safety equipment proves to be effective in the most dangerous situations.

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