Hockey Equipment

A common myth is that hockey is TOO EXPENSIVE.  This may be the case as most kids sports are sponsored by the school and the school picks up the tab for most of the equipment. But with a little foresight and planning the equipment for our sport can fit into most parents budget.  We can all be glad our kids chose hockey over Go-kart Racing or Scuba Diving.

More than 2 million boys and girls under the age of 18 play hockey in the United States. Several rule changes, technological advancements in equipment, and mandatory wearing of helmets and face masks have made hockey a safer sport for all to play and enjoy.  Hockey is a collision sport and injuries do occur. But with certified, quality, well-fitting equipment, the frequency and severity of these injuries can be decreased.  The following is a general list of equipment your player will need as they enter this sport.  Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of equipment, each piece has a specific job to help keep them safe.

Helmets and face masks
Most hockey injuries occur to the head and face. Lacerations (cuts) to the skull and face, along with concussions, have been minimized by the mandatory wearing of helmets and face masks at all levels of play. In youth, high school, and college hockey, helmets and face masks are mandatory. When purchasing a helmet, make sure it fits snugly. Look for helmets with the seal of approval either from the HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) or the CAHA (Canadian Amateur Hockey Association). Chin guards must always be worn; check the snaps frequently to ensure good working condition. Red helmets are preferred.

Face masks come in 3 styles: plastic visor, wire cage, or a combination of visor and cage. Wearing a helmet with a wire cage mask can protect your eyes from a high stick or a deflected puck.

Shoulder pads and chest protectors
Standard shoulder pads and chest protectors provide protection for the clavicle (collarbone) and upper arms, while giving you the ability to move freely on the ice and handle your stick. Several types of chest protectors include both the chest and the back as one piece.

Gloves and elbow pads
Your gloves must provide maximum protection without affecting your grip. The thumb, the palm, and the cuff of the wrist are often hit by opposing players' sticks. Purchase gloves with maximum protection over the thumb. Make sure the palm of the glove is soft, so you can feel the stick in your hand. The cuff of the glove should be flexible but still offer protection. Cuffs that run too far up the arm will hinder your flexibility.  Make sure your elbow pads fit well and cover the sides and the back part of the elbow.

Hockey pants (Breezers)
Most hockey pants today are manufactured with pads built inside to cover and protect the hips, thighs, kidneys, and tailbone. Make sure all the proper braces are in place.   Properly fitted pants can prevent your pads from sliding out of place and exposing an area to injury. Your suspenders, which is used to hold your pants up, should be checked frequently for wear and tear.  Some breezers come with zippers on the inside of the thighs to keep you cool. Red Breezers are preferred.

Shin guards
Good shin/leg guards have a knee cup pad, wrap-around padding to cover the sides of the knee, and wide side flaps. Make sure they are not too bulky and the length is correct.  Velcro straps can help keep them in place.

Hockey stick
The hockey stick is the most important piece of equipment for a player. The top of the stick is known as the "butt," which leads down into the shaft (the long stem of the stick). Shafts are typically made of carbon graphite, aluminum, or wood. The curvature at the bottom of the shaft is known as the blade.

Sticks need to be fitted for players. Remember the "rule of chin": While wearing skates and placing the stick on the end of its blade, the butt of the stick should lie 3 inches under your chin. Sticks are made for either left- or right-handed players, depending on the curve of the blade. Restrictions regarding the size of your hockey stick vary depending upon the level of competition.

Skates
Skates are composed of three parts: a boot, a blade holder, and a steel blade. The boot is made of leather, nylon, or molded plastic. The surface of the steel blade is not flat, but curved inward. The sharpening process carves out the center of the blade, leaving two sharp surfaces. Keeping your skates sharp helps maneuverability and prevents you from catching your blade on the ice, which can lead to leg and knee injuries. Brand-name skates are your best bet. Make sure the skate has a well-constructed heel and ankle support. Wear only one pair of socks; bulky socks can hinder the snug fit of a boot.  Dry skates off after every use.

Mouth guards and groin protection
Mouth guards are cheaper than dental bills. You can have them specially molded for you.

For groin protection, the larger, heavily padded, boxer-style cup is better than the traditional small plastic cup.

Other equipment you will need to consider

Game Jersey  
Red for Away Games and White for Home.  Initiation and Mites only need white Jerseys.  Game jerseys should only be used for official games and be kept clean and dry between competitions and never used for practices.   The Locker Room in Amery is where you purchase official jerseys, make sure you talk to them as early as possible to make sure you get your jersey before the beginning of the season. If you need a number for your Jersey, please contact Kevin Smith at 268-2484 to make sure the number you have chosen isn't already taken. 

Socks
One set of clean white sock with red stripes for games and another (any color) for practices.  Again; check with your coach to find out where you can purchase official Amery Socks.

A bag to carry everything in  
Size the bag to your needs, a too big of bag for small kids will turn mom or dad into the players personal caddy.  You may also want to consider a jersey and stick bag.

Hockey tape  
Two or three colors come in handy for the longevity of sticks and help keeping socks up. (Some stores will give you tape if you buy several things from them.)

Practice Jersey
So you don't get your Game jersey dirty or torn.  Older kids may need specific colors for the positions they play.  The coach may want all defensemen in Black, and forwards in same colors as per the line they are on. (Line 1 - Red, Line 2 - Blue, Line 3 - Green)  Many Players use jerseys they got from a summer camp or fall league team they were on.

Spare Laces
How many times we brake laces is unimaginable!

Skate Guards
If your bag does not have a separate compartment for you skates, guards are a great way to keep the blades from getting nicked and staying sharp.

Stick Wax
Yes... Some kids use it to keep ice from building up on the blade of the stick.

Under Armor
High tech underwear keep you dry and warm at the same time.

Neck Guard and Wrist Guards
Same type of protection as a mouth guard, but they are not mandatory.

Spare Stuff
Things we like to have "just in case" -  Screwdriver, sharpening stone, lace tightener, 2 spare mouth guards, helmet screw set, towel, water bottle, dry socks, pucks, deodorant, shampoo, something to make the bag smell less, Stretchy winter gloves and hat - for outdoor rinks, Velcro straps or a garter belt to keep socks up, a sports drink for after the game and finally duct tape and WD-40.  
(If it moves and its no supposed to - Duct tape, and if it doesn't move and it is suppose to - WD-40)

Goalie equipment

As a goalie you need to be ready to stop slap shots of up to 100 mph. The goalie's equipment weighs approximately one-fourth of his or her body weight.

A Goalie helmet and mask is usually made of fiberglass or Kevlar, the same material that bulletproof vests are made of. Masks can be form fitted to match the contours of your face, or you can use a cage-and-helmet combination. For younger goalies, the cage and helmet offers more protection. Most masks have a deflector pad that hangs down from the chin, protecting the neck and throat.

The newer Goalie pads are made of synthetic materials that are stronger, lighter, and less absorbent than the old leather pads, but still offer excellent protection. Goalies require extra protection, especially around the arms, thighs, and tailbone. Special leg pads are worn, not only for protection, but also to give the goalie an additional blocking surface. There are restrictions on the width of leg pads, again depending upon the level of play.

The goalie also wears Two different Gloves. The catching glove looks like a first baseman's mitt. It has ample padding around the wrist and hand to protect against cuts and bruises. The backhand glove (or Blocker) is a flat rectangular pad made of leather. The palm of this glove is thin, allowing the goalie to maintain a firm grip on the stick.

The Goalie stick is usually made of wood with a larger blade, measuring about 3 inches wide. This allows for a greater shot-blocking surface.

Practical tips

Penny-pinching is not wise when it comes to buying good protection. Go to a reputable sporting goods store that sells certified brand names. If you are going to buy used equipment, check it out carefully. Try the equipment on and make sure it all fits properly. Injuries occur when loose- fitting equipment slides out of the way of an oncoming puck.  Used equipment may be the way to go for the beginner.  Many sports stores have a back room where they take in and sell used equipment.  Used equipment usually runs one third the cost of new, but remember, someone else's dirty head was in that helmet once.  A third option is our own Alumni.  We have some used equipment tucked away for first timers or kids that want to just "give it a try".  Ask your coach or someone at the rink for details.

Keep your gear well organized and stored in a well-ventilated, dry area. Check your equipment frequently for early signs of wear and tear. Make those necessary repairs before you get out on the ice. And remember the old saying: "Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you!"  Many of our Hockey parents have been around for a while and are very knowledgeable on this subject.  Don't feel embarrassed to ask one of the older hockey parents for advise, we can be very helpful.

The Locker Room. Most kids like to get dressed on their own at the rink, the camaraderie is good to build a bond in the team, but up through Squirts most parents will need to be in the locker room with their child to help them get dressed or at least tie their skates.  Once they hit Peewee's they can usually take care of everything themselves.  It is often said by the age of Peewee's the coaches don't allow the parents in the locker room but the fact is the smell generated by those kids would render most of us unconscious!