Ice Hockey Gear Checklist

Ice hockey is a fast, hard-hitting game of skill, and its players need a lot of help to compete safely and effectively. Hockey players must don considerable gear to get ready for a game. A rubber puck traveling in some cases at speeds of more than 90 miles per hour, and the wielding of hard wooden sticks can cause serious injury to players who do not use all the proper equipment. In addition, some basic gear is necessary to even play the game.

  1. Skates

    • Proper skates are a basic necessity for all hockey players. Since the game is played on a sheet of ice, ice skates are required to adequately maneuver around the rink. But hockey players do not just wear the run-of-the-mill ice skates anyone can rent at the local skating rink. Ice hockey skates are made for speed and precision. They are constructed of leather, nylon and molded plastic and are meant to fit snugly. The boot has sturdy ankle support, and the blade is sharpened just prior to games to give maximum control and to prevent leg and knee injuries caused by dull blades hanging on the ice surface.

    Stick

    • The hockey stick is the player's magic wand. With a few exceptions, the hockey player is not allowed to play the puck, and certainly cannot score, using his hands. The stick is the tool he uses to maneuver the puck from player to player and to shoot toward the net. The typical stick is made of wood and has a long straight handle with a curved blade on the end to help players control the lift of the puck when necessary. Each player can have his stick shaped to fit his own style. The goalie's stick looks a bit different and is wider, to keep the puck from going into the goal.

    Gloves

    • Hockey gloves are among the most important pieces of protective gear a player has, and they are for much more than keeping the hands warm. During the course of play, players often hit each other with their sticks, particularly on the hands, as they battle for the puck. Hockey gloves should provide enough padding and protection on top of the fingers and thumb to prevent injuries to the hands. The palm of the hand and under the fingers must also provide some protection while providing enough sensitivity and flexibility for the player to hold the stick properly.

    Helmet

    • Helmets were once an optional piece of equipment in professional hockey, but in the early 21st century everyone wears them. This important protective device can prevent serious and potentially deadly injuries. While skating at high speeds and becoming involved in body checks, players regularly fall or get knocked down. The impact of the player's head making hard contact with the ice can result in concussions or even worse injuries. The helmet also protects the player's head from flying pucks and sticks.

    Pads

    • An ice hockey player wears a variety of pads ranging from elbow pads to shoulder pads to knee and leg pads to groin protection devices. This is all standard equipment to keep players safe while playing the sport, and it is worn under or on top of the uniform. Goalies wear more padding than other players.

    Mouth Guard

    • A mouth guard, similar to the guards worn by football players and boxers, is a rubber molded piece that fits over the teeth to prevent direct hits to the mouth from doing dental damage. Often this is not enough, however, and many hockey players lose teeth at times over the course of their career.