Ice hockey is a fast and fun sport but requires plenty of equipment and padding to keep the player safe. It’s probably one of the most expensive sports to get involved with because of all the different ice hockey gear you’ll need to get started. Let’s take a look at all the necessary equipment in what comprises the ice hockey player today.
Ice Hockey Skates:
The game is just not possible without ice hockey skates. This is the most fundamental piece of equipment you will need to use and learn how to use properly if you want to become a good ice hockey player. Skates with properly sharpened blades and a nice fit is required to be the best chance to succeed as a hockey player. Skates your cost quite a bit money unless you can get them used are secondhand rates. The best time to buy hockey skates is in the summertime in the off-season.
Composite hockey sticks:
There are a plethora of different hockey sticks you will have to choose from. You’ll need to find one that fits your playing style and one in which you are comfortable in using. Aluminum shafts offer a lighter weight stick in which you can move around much more easily. You will also need to consider the blade curvature and angle as well. Goalie sticks are completely different because they are much bigger and are used to block pucks rather than control them and shoot them.
Padding:
Where to begin? Pads are necessary to keep you safe as a hockey player will undergo blind hits from other players, running into the boards, hundred mile an hour slap shots to the body, and stick slashing to various parts of the body as well. Because of all the unpredictable’s you will basically need to cover and pad just about every part of your body you can think of.
Let’s start with the head. Hockey helmets should fit snug and not wiggle around a lot. You should also consider buying a hockey mask with a visor to protect your face and eyes. Some masks even come with a throat guard as well.
Another part of the head area you’ll need to protect is your teeth. Buy a mouth guard or risk having no front teeth.
Moving down the body now to your shoulders, chest, and back. You can actually buy this is a one-piece item. It slips on as shoulder pads but also protects the chest and back area as well and even part of the upper arms.
Hockey gloves are necessary to protect the arms, wrists, and hand’s from getting slashed from other sticks. Find a glove that fits nicely and allows you to move around and grip the stick with ease.
Hockey pants are also a necessary item and come with padding on the hips, crotch, and tailbone. These pants are going to save you from having a bruised up tailbone, hips, and thighs.