Are you ready to hit the rink and try your hand at hockey? First, you're going to need a quality pair of skates for navigating. The kind of skates will depend on the rink. Use ice hockey skates for ice hockey, and roller blades or skates for roller hockey.
Ice Hockey Skates
When choosing quality ice hockey skates, consider brands like CCM, Bauer, Easton, or Nike. Each manufacturer sizes their skates slightly differently, so try them on before buying. Usually, a player's skate size is a smaller size than the person's shoe size. Buy youth-sized ice hockey skates for children, or adult ice hockey skates (these can run up to 1-1/2 sizes lower than one's shoe size.)
Skates used for ice hockey are typically manufactured from leather or synthetic materials, or a combination of both. The best skates are made with hard plastic boots for optimal foot protection.
The skate's blade radius is the part of the skate that comes into contact with the ice rink. For beginners, a blade with a five-inch radius is best. More advanced skaters will find that a blade radius of between three and four inches will give them the ability to maneuver more effectively.
Roller Hockey Skates
Roller hockey skates look much like ice hockey skates. These special inline skates, however, are usually made with leather upper bodies and contain protective padding to shield the foot from injury. Additionally, they have both laces and Velcro ankle straps for secure wearing.
Roller hockey skates are different from those inline skates used for recreation in that they lack a system for braking or stopping. Bauer Roller hockey skates or CCM roller hockey skates are usually best for expert players.
Bauer, Koho, and CCM manufacture component hockey skates or production hockey skates, which are better for serious players. Component hockey skates have aluminum frames. In contrast, production hockey skates closely resemble recreation skates, except that the boot and frame are made from plastic. These skates have foam liners for foot protection.
Most inline skates have wheels that are between 70 and 80 millimeters in diameter. Although larger inline skating wheels allow players to skate faster, smaller wheels permit increased maneuverability.
Hyper roller hockey skates feature wheels specially designed for roller hockey. These roller hockey wheels contain bearings, which results in increased stability for turning. When the bearings wear out, they can be replaced or repaired, which is usually much less expensive than replacing the entire skate.
Pick a Stick
Choose hockey sticks that offer easy maneuvering as well as puck management. Well-known makers of quality hockey sticks include Louisville, Easton, and Bauer. Choose a stick that is long enough to reach above the player's chin, but below his or her nose, when he or she is standing upright and wearing hockey skates.
Sometimes, it's easier to purchase longer hockey sticks and trim them down to size. This is usually helpful for defensive players, because this helps them to steal the puck more easily. Usually, the puck can be controlled most easily with a shorter hockey stick, so shorter sticks are usually used by players who play offensive positions.
Younger players may require junior hockey sticks; these usually range between 46 and 54 inches in length. Quality senior hockey sticks are also available; these range between 56 and 62 inches in size.
Hockey sticks may be manufactured from wood or from composite materials. Most players prefer wood hockey sticks; these are less expensive, sturdier, and hit the puck harder than sticks made of composite materials. In addition, players can cut or sand the sticks to obtain exactly the results they desire.
Hockey sticks with shafts made of composite materials typically have wooden blades are more expensive than sticks with wooden shafts. Different types of composite materials can be used, including aluminum, fiberglass, and graphite.
Kevlar hockey sticks are made from a combination of graphite and Kevlar; these are very strong and lightweight. Another option for players who want a powerful, lightweight stick is a titanium hockey stick.
The curve and direction of the blade, as well as the hockey stick's flex, determines how a player controls the puck. First, the flex of the stick is described as a number between 45 and 110. This describes how much force must be used for bending the shaft.
Shafts with lower numbers are much more flexible than shafts with higher numbers, which results in quicker release. Although a stiffer shaft can snap the puck harder, more muscle power is required for the shot.
The blade extends from the stick's shaft at an angle between two and seven degrees. Blades that have a lower angle, or lie, are shaped like an L. These are usually preferred by players who usually skate close to the rink's surface while playing. Those who skate in a more upright position usually prefer blades with higher angles.
The blade of a hockey stick may be curved left, right, or straight. Usually, blades with smaller curves are better for beginners who are learning to handle the puck with backhanded shots. Players will usually find that hockey sticks with blades angled such that the puck is resting easily within the curve when they are preparing to make a forehand shot.
Protective Hockey Gear
Hockey is a very physical game, and players often sustain injuries. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective equipment when playing. First, players should always wear hockey helmets as well as hockey face masks. These should fit snugly and securely on the player's head.
Hockey helmets range from size XS to XL. Players with head circumferences between 6-3/8 inches and 6-3/4 inches will need an extra-small helmet, while players with head sizes between 7-3/4 inches and 8-1/8 inches will need extra-large helmets.
Different hockey face mask styles are also available. Face masks with a wire cage feature shields made of metal or a composite material that cover the player's whole face. In comparison a face shield hockey face mask is made of shatter-resistant plastic. A combination hockey face-mask protects the upper part of the face with a face shield made of plastic, and the lower part of the face with wire mesh.
Other important hockey gear includes hockey jerseys and hockey pants, hockey pucks, and hockey tape. Wearing hockey socks as well as other protective gear specially designed for the sport will make playing safer.
Use a hockey throat guard, and make sure it is adjusted to fit properly. A hockey mouth guard is designed to protect the teeth and help players avoid concussions. Though not required, they make the game much safer. Ear protectors will keep players much warmer and more comfortable.
Wear hockey gloves for hand and wrist protection. Buy gloves that fit all the way up to your elbow pads. Elbow pads are usually adjustable, and will offer protection from bruised or broken bones.
Buy hockey shoulder pads and keep the upper chest, arms, and shoulders safe. Some are also designed to cover the heart or lower back as well. A set of hockey shin pads will offer similar protection to the lower legs. Many hockey players also purchase hockey jackets as well as hockey hats and shirts to wear even when they aren't on the ice.
Hockey goalies deserve special treatment
Planning on defending the net? Then make sure you're well-equipped with the best possible protection. Goalies require special goalie leg pads; these are designed to fit midway up the thigh. Likewise, goalie chest pads offer good upper body protection and also protect the spine. Goalies also wear two different types of gloves. The first is called a catcher, or catch glove; this is worn on the hand that does not hold a stick. The other glove is called a blocker; this is designed to catch or block the hockey puck.
Goalie masks are also more protective than standard hockey facemasks, and use wire mesh to protect the face. A goalie helmet may be made of composite materials or a durable plastic material. Goalies also wear specialized goalie skates; these are designed with wider blades and bigger boots for increased foot protection.
Finally, goalies use a different type of hockey stick than other players. These feature larger blades than normal. In fact, the blade may be as much as 3-1/2 inches in width and 15-1/2 inches in length.
Whether you're practicing for the Stanley Cup, or just enjoying a good time on the rink with your friends, ice and roller hockey can be a lot of fun. Wearing protective gear keeps the game safer; don't put yourself or your friends at risk by not wearing a helmet and protective clothing.