Announcement
Equipment
Hockey is an exciting game played at top speed. To make the sport as safe as possible, you need to wear protective hockey equipment. It doesn't matter if it's new or used as long as it protects you, fits properly and feels comfortable.
Helmet and Facemask: Look for a sticker on the helmet and face shield that says they meet government safety standards. Make sure the chin cup fits snugly on your chin and the top of the mask rests inside the J-clips on the side of the helmet. This will prevent your mask from jamming into your mouth.
Mouthguard: This is required equipment in the United States but not in Canada. Wearing a mouth guard helps prevent jaw injuries and concussions. Mouth guards without straps must be colored, so if they fallout on the ice, they're easy to find.
Shoulder Pads: Padding should wrap around the sides of your chest and just touch your pants in the back. The arm padding should be hard and overlap the elbow pads, and the shoulder caps should fit right on the shoulder. To protect your back, get shoulder pads that include a spine protector.
Elbow Pads: Look for elbow pads with solid-plastic elbow caps and forearm protection. Make sure they are snug so they won't twist or fall out of place.
Gloves: Your gloves should meet or slightly overlap your elbow pads. They should have hard protection on the back of the hand and a flexible palm. Your fingertips shouldn't be touching the end of your glove – they could get hurt by sticks if they do.
Jill/Pelvic Protector: This is a required piece of equipment. There are several types available including ones with Velcro to hold up your socks.
Pants: Your pant legs should stop just above your kneecaps, and the hip pads should fit over your hips. Look for pants with good padding over your tailbone, hips and the front of your thighs.
Shin Guards: Be sure there is a gap between your shin and the outside hard padding of your shin pad. Instead of your shin, that gap will take the force of a hit. Your kneecap should sit in the kneecap pad, while the bottom of your shin pad reaches to your skate laces without making it difficult for you to skate.
Also needed: skates, stick, a jersey, and hockey socks.
