Geneva, New York

New vs. Used Equipment:

Purchase either, as long as it provides solid protection to prevent injuries.

Used shin pads, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, jock or jill strap and cup, garter belt and neck guard are all pieces of equipment that can be purchased second hand from Sports Shops.  It is recommend purchasing a new helmet  because a used one could be damaged.  All equipment, new or used, should fit properly so it doesn’t move or shift with contact.

The proper fitting equipment will cushion the blow or fall providing there is no space between the specific pieces of equipment and it is strapped in place correctly.

Underwear:

Light cotton, or the new breathable material, long john type, top and bottom underwear should be worn under your equipment. Keep it clean and odor free.

After the Game- take your equipment out of your hockey bag and let it air out to dry. Skates should not be placed around direct heat as they could crack the holders. Just let them air dry also.

Helmets:

Protection: A hockey helmet should fit snug to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Make sure the chinstrap can be adjusted so it gently makes contact under the chin when fastened.  Helmets should be CSA and HECC certified helmets. All CSA and HECC certified helmets have a sticker indicating their certification.

Comfort: You should always look for equipment that feels comfortable. Although most helmets are lined with a protective foam, some helmets will feel better than others.  Try on different brands of helmets for fit and comfort.  

Fit:  With your helmet opened to it’s largest setting gradually begin to downsize the helmet until a comfortably snug fit is achieved.  The helmet should rest on the head so that the rim is one finger width above the eyebrow and making contact with the top of your head.
 

Shoulder Pads:

Shoulder pads should fit snugly while the vital tips of the shoulder must be properly under the shoulder caps. The bicep pads should not interfere with the player’s elbow pads.  The chest pad should meet the tops of the hockey pants.  Good shoulder pads will also protect the collar bone, ribs, sternum, chest, back and bicepts.

Elbow Pads:

Measure the length between the shoulder pad and the cuff of the glove. Match the player’s measured size to the size of the elbow pads by inches. When fastened securely, there should be no gap between the pad and either the biceps extension of the shoulder pad or the cuff of the glove. Players who wear a short cuff style glove should choose the longer model of elbow pad.

Gloves:

To determine the size of a hockey glove, measure between your fingers to elbow.  Each hockey glove varies depending on what brand you choose.

Hockey Pants:

Pants should reach the top of the player knee and extend up to cover the kidney and lower ribs. The molded polyethylene hip, kidney and tailbone pads and foam padding should cover critical areas.

Shin Pads:

Shin Pads are measured best while the player is sitting.   To fit properly: Measure from the center of the kneecap to the top of the skate boot. Match the player’s shin size to the inches listed on shin pad. Shin pads, which are either too long or too short, will result in the knee or instep being exposed and unprotected. Shin pads should be secured with straps or tape, never tight hockey stockings.

Skates:

Skating is the most important skill to play hockey, yet the most difficult to master at a young age.

If possible, try to purchase a new pair of good quality skates. It will make a whole world of difference in your child’s hockey development and skating performance. If unable to do so, try to purchase the best quality used skates you can find that fit properly, still has good strong ankle support and reasonably good blade life remaining. This would be based on the remaining depth of the blades and they should be rust free in order to hold an edge when sharpened.

Skates must fit snugly but not cramp your toes and must have good upright ankle support.

One pair of thin 100% breathable cotton socks is all you should wear, not 2 or 3 pair of sport socks.

Skates are usually ½ to 1 size smaller than street/running shoes to provide a glove like fit. However, young players, 5 to 10 years of age, can allow some room for their feet to grow but no more then finger width between heal and back of skate. Players 11 and older should try to have skates that fit like a glove.

Sticks:

The stick must fit properly, just like skates another protective equipment if you are going to develop your shooting, scoring, passing, stick handling skills.

The sticks length when in an upright position, and while you are standing in your skates should come up to between your mouth (maximum) and your collar bone (minimum). If it is any longer or shorter you will have difficulty shooting or carrying the puck.

If the toe of the stick blade rides up off the ice this is an indication that the stick is too long. Also, how you skate with the puck, either bent over or up right, will influence the length of the stick.

Youth size hockey sticks are now available which are lighter, shorter in shaft length and blade size and have a smaller shaft radius for a better grip for young players.

Curve- sticks are made for Left or Right handed shots. The lower hand on the stick shaft when shooting determines whether you shoot Left or Right.

A slight curve of about ¼ inch is standard.  A big curve of 1/2 inch on the other hand is out of the question until your child gets to Bantam.



Hockey Bag:

A hockey bag must be large enough to carry all of your equipment. It should have 2 or 3 large outside pockets to carry your skates and for dry then wet underwear. Keep an extra pair of skate laces, proper length in your bag for emergency and a small towel to dry your skate blades, rivets and blade holders after the game or practice to prevent them from rusting or cracking. New hockey bags come with 2 wheels and a handle now, like a suitcase for easier handling.

General Order for Getting Dressed at Home or at the Rink

1- light cotton socks

2- light breathable (cotton) underwear, top and bottom

3- jock or jill strap and cup

4- garter belt to hold up your hockey socks

5- hockey socks

6- shin pad, now pull up your hockey socks and attach them to your garter belt.

7- hockey pants, use suspenders or a special hockey belt on some models to keep them up

8- skates, put on and tie your skates, tape your shin pads in place using clear shin pad tape, below the knee cap and above the ankle.

9- shoulder pads

10- elbow pads

11- neck guard

12- jersey

13- helmet with full visor or metal cage

14- mouth guard

15- hockey gloves

16- stick