Ice hockey equipment

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

In ice hockey, players use equipment both to facilitate the play of the game and for protection.

[edit] Hockey equipment in current use

[edit] Game equipment

• Puck

[edit] Equipment Brands

Some of the leading manufacturers of hockey equipment are: Nike Bauer, Reebok RBK (including CCM/Koho/Jofa), TPS, Easton, Itech, Mission, Warrior, Graf, Montreal, Sher-Wood, Brians, and Vaughn, among others.

[edit] Essential equipment

• Hockey skates
• Stick

[edit] Protective equipment

• Helmet
  • Wire or plastic facemask (required for youth players)
  • Visor, a clear plastic shield that covers the eyes and nose
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Padded gloves
• Protective cup or pelvic protector with jockstrap
• Padded girdle or hockey pants, which are actually shorts that cover the entire thigh (also known as "breezers")
• Shin pads that also cover the knee

[edit] Uniform

• Jersey
• Hockey socks worn over the shin pads covering the entire leg up to the thigh, usually displaying horizontal colored stripes, correlating with team colors.

[edit] Goaltenders equipment

Main article: Goaltender

• Goal stick
• Goal skates
• Goalie mask or helmet and wire facemask
• Chest and arm protector
• Blocker, worn on the hand that holds the stick
• Catch glove, worn on the opposite hand
• Goal jock or jill
• Goal pants, which are typically more protective than players pants
• Goal pads, covering the leg from the foot to just above the knee

[edit] Certification of hockey equipment

Many leagues require players to wear equipment, especially head and face protection, certified by trusted agencies. As of 2005, there are four groups that specify standards for hockey head and face protection:[1]

• European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
• ASTM International

Most countries requires youth players to wear helmets and facemasks certified by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). This group certifies equipment based on the ASTM standards; it does not write standards.[2]

[edit] Choosing the right equipment

The main hockey equipment is a helmet, neckguard, mouthgard, shoulderpads/chestprotector, elbowpads, shinpads, pants, cup, and (most importantly) skates. All equipment should fit properly for maximum protection. The helmet should fit snug enough so it doesn't slip forward, but not to tight so it causes head-aches. You should try the helmet on before you buy it. Some helmets are adjustable. You should try to get a helmet that fits you in one of the smaller sizes so you can grow with it. A neckguard should feel comfortable and fit snugly. A mouthguard should not make you feel like you are going to gag, and it should not cut into your gums. It should fit snugly, but not to tight. Shoulder pads should fit loosely. The main problem is the pads fit loosely, but are too wide. Elbow pads should fit snugly, but the straps should not cut into the arm. Shin pads should cover between the top of the knee to just above the ankle. They should fit snugly, but not cut into the leg. The pants should cover overlap the shin pads and cover the bottom of the chestprotector. The cup should be for the right gender. It should fit snugly, but the straps should not cut into the skin. Most skates run big. For example, if you wear a size 3 (U.S.) Your skates will be a size 4. Skates should feel just like a pair of shoes.