Before you begin playing hockey, make sure you have all of the necessary equipment and that you understand how to properly put it on and utilize it. Skates and a helmet are a solid start, but you’ll need a lot more gear.
Hockey players require the following items:
Helmet
This is the most critical piece of safety equipment when it comes to preventing major injuries. Helmets should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) and have a complete facemask, chin cup, and chin strap. To keep your helmet in place, make sure it fits properly and that the chin strap is locked and tightened.
Skates
Make sure your skates fit properly, just like your helmet. Because you’ll lace them up tight, the improper size skates might cause serious injury to your feet. Skates with a steel or hard plastic toe cup should provide ample ankle support. Maintain the sharpness of your skates so that they function better and are less prone to get trapped in ice ruts.
Shoulder, elbow, knee, and shin protectors
All of these are unique to hockey. Soccer or lacrosse equipment will not provide the necessary protection. Lower leg pads (knee and shin) should be hard plastic on the outside and reach the top of your skates.
Hockey Pants
These, sometimes known as breezers, should stretch to the knee and provide cushioning in the front, back, and sides of the upper legs as well as the waist.
Gloves
Hockey gloves, another sport-specific gear, should allow for movement while providing protection well beyond the wrist.
Athletic supporter and cup
As part of a hockey undershorts set or separately.
Neck protectors
These protect the neck from damage, even if some leagues don’t mandate them.
Mouthguard
These can help avoid jaw injuries by protecting the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Pucks
A molded plastic ball is used in field hockey. Pucks are firm, vulcanized rubber discs used in ice hockey and inline hockey. Both balls are sized to meet the requirements of hockey organizations. Any variation of hockey has the purpose of guiding the ball or puck towards the goal net. Steel frames support goal nets, which are made of durable synthetic nylon.
What protective equipment should a hockey goalie buy?
Hockey goalies require a completely distinct set of equipment in order to be safe. They’ll need a goalkeeper helmet, skates, neck protector, and athletic cup. Goalkeepers should also always wear:
Leg protectors
These should always have the proper length and thickness to withstand even the most ferocious slapshot.
Arm pads and a chest protection
Arm pads should be long enough to reach the wrist. To keep the whole front fully protected, chest protectors should wrap somewhat around the sides.
Glove for blocking
This glove should be thick and cover the majority of the forearm while allowing the fingers to comfortably grip the stick.
Catcher gloves
Catcher gloves should have heavy padding over the wrist and palm, and should extend well up the forearm, similar to a first baseman’s glove in baseball.