Even with all of the different pieces of protective hockey gear that players wear, like elbow pads, shin guards, ice hockey pants and hockey gloves, there are still a few parts of the body that are left exposed because of the small gaps between each of these larger pieces of equipment. That's where protective hockey accessories come into play – neck guards and slash guards provide some added coverage and protection in vulnerable areas that would otherwise be unguarded. Neck guards are made with cut and abrasion-resistant material that is fashioned in the shape of a collar which is worn around the player's throat to protect it from nicks, cuts and scratches.