A teenager from Nova Scotia has applied his love of hockey and understanding of engineering principles to invent a safety device for players.

The University of Calgary has invited eighth grader Jay McNeil to show off his idea.

"It's pretty amazing to see a kid, 13 years old, thinking about protecting players from hits from behind," said Olympic gold medalist Danielle Goyette.

Jay McNeil

The device resembles a crash test dummy. Oil-filled hydraulic cylinders are attached to the helmet and shoulder pads.

When a player crashes head first into the boards, a valve closes on the device. The hydraulic cylinders keep moving.

"That prevents the cylinders from compressing and takes the weight of the impact off the neck and onto the shoulders," McNeil explained.

Theoretically, the device should prevent the neck from compressing and causing serious spinal injury. The concept of protecting the neck without interfering with an athlete's ability to play the game has impressed several people.

"He's got freedom of motion when it's not engaged and it works when you need it," said Sean Maw of the University of Calgary.

Jay's father, John McNeil, points out his son isn't a bookworm. "He plays sports all the time, does the minimal amount of homework to get by."

Playing hockey is how Jay came up with the idea.