Take the guesswork out of buying hockey equipment. Just follow these informative articles. How To Buy A Hockey Stick How To Buy Ice Hockey Skates How To Buy Protective Gear How To Buy Goalie Equipment How To Buy A Hockey Stick [To Top] The hockey stick is an extension of the hockey player's arm. This means the stick has to fit properly, and the length, curve and lie angle need to match both your size and body type as well as the type of game you play. Shaft types The shaft you choose is largely a matter of personal choice. Shafts come in many different materials for sticks with different weights and durabilities. Wood Sticks These are traditional sticks and are usually less expensive than modern composite sticks You are able to fine tune your stick by cutting or sanding it to make it more comfortable Wood sticks break more easily Wood sticks are heavier and tend to be stiffer than other materials Composites Modern shafts come in all sorts of materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, carbon-graphite, kevlar and titanium. The blades are usually still made of wood and are attached to the composite stick with glue. These materials make for a lighter stick, but are generally more expensive than wood. Fiberglass Fiberglass sticks have a wooden core and are wrapped/reinforced with a fiberglass outer coating. They are the least expensive type of composite sticks. Their wooden core makes them somewhat heavy. They are not as strong as other types of composite sticks. Aluminum The shaft is formed entirely of aluminum. Aluminum sticks are relatively inexpensive. They are also considered strong, but not as strong as kevlar and titanium. Compared to other composite sticks they are considered heavy but are still much lighter than wood and fiberglass. They use replaceable blades. Graphite Graphite can be used many ways in stick construction. It can be used to coat or reinforce a wooden core; it is sometimes mixed with kevlar to form the shaft; and it can also be used entirely on its own. Graphite is more expensive than fiberglass and aluminum, but less expensive than kevlar and titanium. Graphite sticks are considered strong and lightweight. They use replaceable blades. Kevlar Kevlar is often mixed with graphite to form the shaft of a stick, but it can also be used on its own. Kevlar sticks are one of the most expensive. One of the strongest and most lightweight. They use replaceable blades. Titanium Usually used alone for all-titanium construction. They are very expensive, similar in price to Kevlar. They are one of the strongest and most lightweight, again similar to kevlar. May use torch for blade insertion Blades Blades are usually made of wood and attached to the composite stick with glue. Some blades have Kevlar wraps on them. Determining Your Blade Angle Hockey sticks are identified as "left," "right," or "straight." This refers to the curve of the blade. Curved Blade You should buy a stick that has the blade angled so that the puck is on the forehand during shooting A curved blade allows you to lift the puck and put spin on it but makes it more difficult to shoot or pass backhand. A blade with a smaller curve gives you lower shots and better control. Players just starting to learn the game should choose a blade with a lesser curve. A curved blade may inhibit. backhand passing or shooting. Blades are described according to their curve. Heel Open, Small. Mid Round, Small. Mid Round, Big. Mid Round, Open. Heel Open. Big Determining Your Stick Lie The lie is the angle between the blade and the shaft. A lie number is printed on the front of the stick's shaft and ranges from 4 to 8. The higher the number, the narrower the angle between the blade and the shaft. The smaller the number, the wider the angle. For example, a lie 4 stick has a wide handle-to-blade angle, while a lie 8 has a smaller angle. As a rule, lower lie angle sticks are used for players who skate low to the ice and carry the puck out in front of them. Lies 7 and 8 are for players who skate upright and carry the puck close to their skates. One way to determine if you have the proper lie is to examine your old stick. If the blade is worn on the toe, you should try a higher lie. If your stick is worn on the heel, you should try a lower lie. If the blade wears evenly, you are using the correct lie. Determining The Proper Shaft Stiffness The stiffness, or flex, of a stick's shaft is important in determining control and performance. Most stick shafts come in flexes of medium (85 stiffness), stiff measurement, or extra stiff (up to 110 stiff). Beginning players should look for a light stick with a medium stiffness rating. Bigger, stronger players should choose a stick with a stiffer flex. Defensemen should choose a stiffer, heavier stick, while forwards should choose a lighter, more flexible shaft Determining the stick length. Since it is very difficult to control an oversized or undersized stick, the length of your hockey stick must be correct for your size * Hockey sticks come in two basic sizes: junior and senior. Junior sticks are generally between 46 - 54 inches long. Senior stick are generally between 56 - 62 inches long. Offensive players usually have a slightly shorter stick for better puck control. Defensive players generally have a longer stick which is good for poking the puck away from an oncoming forward. You will probably not be able to find a stick that is the exact right size. Generally buy your stick a little long so that you can cut it down to the perfect fit. To Determine The Proper Stick Length: Stand in your skates. Put the toe of the stick on the ground. The stick should reach somewhere between your chin and the tip of your nose. Hockey regulations do not permit sticks longer than 63 inches from the heel (where the stick meets the blade) to the end of the shaft Buying a goalie stick. About Goalie Sticks Goalie sticks are larger and heavier than regular sticks and are always made of wood. Goalie sticks have wider blades, which can extend 24 inches up the shaft. The blade of a goalie stick can be 3 1/2 inches wide and up to 15 1/2 inches in length. Most goalies use a lie from 11 to 15. A higher lie stick is usually used by a stand-up goalie. In choosing the length of a goalie stick, remember not to buy one that is too short. The shaft can always be cut down if it seems too long, or you can choke up on the shaft to make it easier to handle. How To Buy Ice Hockey Skates [To Top] Players need to consider their skates as part of their feet. Skates are by far the most important piece of hockey equipment you can buy. Because they are so important, it is vital that you buy the right skate for your style of play, and that you size them properly. Skates Construction - Two basic parts: The Boot and The Blade Boot Most skates are manufactured with a combination of leather and synthetic materials for durability, performance, and comfort. The exact mixture of these components, with names like Kevlar and graphite, depends on the quality of the skate and the cost. Hard plastic boots offer better protection against pucks and provide more support for your ankles. Goalie skates are similar in construction to regular hockey skates but are designed differently with a wider blade and lower boot with more ankle and foot protection. Blade Skate blades are made of steel and have a concave (hollowed out) shape. An important factor in performance is blade radius, or the amount of the skate blade that is actually in contact with the ice. The radius is measured by placing the blades together, bottom to bottom, and holding them up to the light. The length where the blade edges make contact is the radius. If you are a beginning skater you will want a radius of about five inches. This increases your ability to propel yourself along the ice while providing stability. A radius of 3-4 inches helps in cutting and turning. Forwards prefer blades with a shorter radius to help with maneuverability. Defensemen look for longer radius blades for extra stability. Players can also grind their blades to sharpen the edges and create a double edge for extra contact with the ice. The deeper the grind, the more maneuverable. Goalie blades have a less hollow grind and a larger radius. Determining Your Skate Size Tips Choosing the proper size for your hockey skates is different than choosing the size for a pair of sneakers. Hockey skates need to be tighter for more stability and less abrasion when skating. Remember to measure yourself wearing thick hockey socks. Do not buy larger sizes for children to grow into. This hinders their ability to learn how to skate and could hurt their feet and ankles. Sizing In order to determine the skate you need, you must first determine your shoe size (see Determine Your Shoe Size). Once you have determined your athletic shoe size you can figure out what size skates you will need depending on the brand of the skate: For CCM skates find your athletic shoe size and subtract 1 shoe size. This is your CCM skate size. For Bauer and Nike find your athletic shoe size and subtract 1 1/2 shoe sizes. This is your Bauer and Nike skate size. For Mission the size of your skate is the same as your athletic shoe size. How To Buy Protective Gear [To Top] Hockey is a fast-paced, hard-hitting sport, with hard pucks and sharp skates a part of the game. It is imperative that the hockey player chooses the proper protective equipment and wears it at all times when on the ice. Helmets Shoulder Pads Elbow Pads Shin Pads Gloves Helmets [To Top] All levels of hockey, even the NHL, require players to wear a protective helmet when playing. There are a large variety of helmet types available. To assure their safety compliance most helmets and face masks are certified by a professional association, such as the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). Look for a Seal of Approval. Construction Most helmets are made of a polycarbonate material, which is basically a lightweight plastic. Hockey helmets come in either one or two-piece construction, with the two-piece version offering a more customized fit. All helmets have liners inside the shell to help absorb impact and to make the helmet more comfortable. Many have double liners--one to absorb the impact and the other to help with comfort. Safety experts recommend that padding be at least 5/8 in thick. Determining your helmet size. Helmets come in a variety of sizes and are usually measured in inches. To ensure a player's safety it is important that his/her helmet fits properly. For the perfect fitting helmet, see Determine Your Helmet Size, before making your purchase decision. Face Masks All juniors through college level players are required to have a face mask on their helmets. Face masks are either sold as part of the helmet or come separately. There are three kinds - wire cage, face shield, and combination. Wire Cage A wire cage consists of a metal or composite shield that covers the entire face area. Wire cages provide more protection and do not fog up like face shields. Face Shields These are generally a high impact-resistant plastic that covers the front of the face. Some players choose face shields because they offer better overall vision with no wires getting in the way. Face shields tend to fog up during use, but they are often now made with fog-resistant coatings. Combination Masks Some manufacturers now offer the best of both designs - a plastic face shield to protect the eyes and upper part of the face, and a wire mesh to cover the lower jaw and to add ventilation. Mouth Guards Although mouth guards are not mandatory in all leagues, they are highly recommended because they not only protect your teeth but also soften blows to the head and prevent against concussions. Mouth guards either come pre-formed to mold to the mouth during use, or can be softened by heating and then molded by biting down on them. Mouth guards come in general sizes to fit youths, teenagers and adults. Ear Protectors An additional piece of helmet safety equipment is the ear protector, which can be inserted into helmets for extra comfort and protection. Ear protectors are also very useful on cold days for extra warmth. Shoulder Pads [To Top] Construction These protect your collarbone, upper chest, back, upper arms, and your shoulders. You should look for shoulder pads that provide the most padding available for your needs. Forwards should look for lighter weight pads that offer more freedom of movement. Defensemen require larger pads with maximum protection against being hit by pucks. Some pads also protect the heart area. There is also extra lower-back protection available either as part of the shoulder pad or as an attachment. Determining Your Shoulder Pad Size Most pads are sized according to body type. To measure, wrap a tape measurer around your chest just below your arm pits. Different manufacturers use different sizing charts, but the chart below provides a general guide. Finding Your Shoulder Pad Size Size Inches cm Junior Small 22 - 24 56 - 61 Junior Medium 24 - 28 61 - 71 Junior Large 28 - 30 71 - 76 Senior Small 30 - 32 76 - 81 Senior Medium 32 - 34 81.5 - 86.5 Senior Large 36 - 38 91.5 - 96.5 Senior X-Large 40-42 101.5 - 107 Elbow Pads [To Top] Elbow pads are necessary to protect against painful bone bruises, and even fractured elbows, from falls or being hit by a stick. Elbow pads cover the muscular part of the arm in addition to the elbow. They cover the area from just below the shoulder pad to just above the hockey glove. Most elbow pads are adjustable and are secured with Velcro straps, so sizing is general according to body size. There are also varying numbers of straps available on different pads to help with adjustments. You may want to add a forearm slash pad for further protection in a sensitive, highly vulnerable area. Determining your Elbow Pad Size Determine the distance between the edge of your shoulder pads and the cuff of your hockey glove. The elbow pad should leave no exposed skin between the shoulder pad and the glove. Different manufacturers use different sizing methods, but the chart below is a good indicator of the elbow pad size you should buy based on the above measurement. Finding Your Elbow Pad Size Size Inches Youth Small 7.5 Youth Medium 8.5 Youth Large 9.5 Junior Small 10.5 Junior Medium 11.5 Junior Large 12.5 Senior Small 13.5 Senior Medium 14.5 Senior Large 15.5 and above Shin Pads [To Top] These are mandatory to protect against hits by a puck or an opponent's stick. Shin pads range from 7 to 17 inches in length and are designed to fit over the kneecap to just above the skate top. You should look for one sized to your height. Forwards usually prefer lighter pads with less protection that allow them to skate faster. Defensemen should look for a heavier shin guard that helps protect against pucks and opponent's sticks. Determining Your Shin Pads Size While you are sitting down, measure from the middle of your knee cap to the top of your skate. This is your shin measurement and should be matched to the manufacturer's specifications on the shin pad. Different manufacturers use different sizing methods, but the chart below is a good indicator of the shin pad size you should buy based on the above measurement Finding Your Shin Pad Size Size Inches cm Youth 7 18 Youth 8 20.5 Youth 9 23 Junior 10 25.5 Junior 11 28 Junior 12 30.5 Senior 14 36.5 Senior 15 38.5 Senior 16 41 Senior 17 43 Gloves [To Top] Hockey gloves protect the hand and wrist without loss of flexibility or comfort. Traditional gloves have all-leather construction, but modern versions incorporate Kevlar and nylon for increased strength, durability and comfort. It is okay for gloves to be a little large, as long as the padding covers all areas of the hand and wrist. Determining Your Glove Size Gloves range from youth sizes of about 9 inches up to full adult sizes of 16 inches. Use a tape measure to measurer the distance from where your elbow pads end to the tip of your fingers. This number equals your glove size. Different manufacturers use different sizing methods, but the chart below is a good indicator of the glove size you should buy based on the above measurement Finding Your Glove Size Size Inches cm Small 9 23 Small 10 25.5 Medium 11 28 Medium 12 30.5 Medium 13 33 Large 14 35.5 Large 15 38 X-Large 16 40.5 X-Large 17 43 How To Buy Goalie Equipment [To Top] With a hard rubber puck heading at you in a blur, it is imperative not only for your performance but also for your safety to have proper-fitting performance hockey equipment. From your stick to your pads to your helmet, your goalie equipment has to perform and protect. How to Buy Goalie Pads and Gloves How To Buy A Goalie Mask And Helmet How To Buy A Goalie Stick How To Buy Goalie Skates Breaking-In New Pads How to Buy Goalie Pads and Gloves [To Top] Leg Pads Most goalie leg pads come in light colors to blend in with the ice and board colors. Goalie pads come with two types of clips: plastic and metal. Plastic clips are easier to close and open and are recommended for younger players. Metal clips will last longer but are a little more difficult to manipulate. Determining your Leg Pad Size Goalie leg pads generally come in sizes ranging from 26 to 34 inches. To determine your proper size, measure your leg from your ankle to the top of your kneecap. Then measure from the middle of your kneecap to half way up your thigh. Add these two numbers for your goalie leg pad size. If you are between sizes, choose the larger size for additional protection. Some goalies prefer their pads an inch or two shorter for increased maneuverability. Chest Pads Chest pads offer protection to the vital chest and heart areas. Chest pads are generally made of nylon wrapped around layers of foam or harder padding. Chest protectors actually protect most of the upper body and generally include a clavicle protector, extended shoulder caps and bicep muscle floaters in addition to an air-cushioned or foam pad chest protector. Chest protectors also include a spine protector for your back. Chest Pads There are actually two different types of goalie gloves, the catcher and the blocker. Catcher The catcher looks very much like an oversized first baseman's mitt and is worn on your non-stick hand. Catcher gloves have an oversized catching area, a molded one-piece thumb area, a precurved palm, and individual finger areas. Determining your Glove Size Gloves range from youth sizes of about 9 inches up to full adult sizes of 16 inches. Use a tape measurer to measure the distance from the end of your elbow pads to the tips of your fingers. This number equals your glove size. How To Buy A Goalie Mask and Helmet [To Top] Modern goalie masks come in a variety of styles that depend on your personal preference, but all offer superior protection and varying degrees of comfort. Masks also include a stainless steel or composite wire mesh cage for better peripheral viewing as well as enhanced protection. Helmets are made of an extremely durable hard-shell plastic or composite similar to a bicycle helmet. Many helmets come with adjustable padding for a better fit. The helmet should fit snugly but comfortably on the head so it does not wiggle. Sizing differs according to manufacturer, so refer to the sizing indicators on each helmet to determine your proper size. Many helmets are adjustable as well. Most teenagers and adults should purchase an adult medium or large helmet. Determining your Helmet Size Helmets come in variety of sizes and are usually measured in inches. To ensure your safety it is important that your helmet fit properly. How To Buy A Goalie Stick [To Top] Goalie sticks are much larger and heavier than regular hockey sticks with a wider blade and a wide paddle area between the stick and the blade. The paddle area can be up to 26 inches long. The blade can be 3 1/2 inches wide and up to 15 1/2 inches long Determining the proper length stick. The length of your hockey stick must be correct for your size, since it is very difficult to control an oversized or undersized stick. In choosing the length of a goalie stick, remember not to buy one that is too short. The shaft can always be cut down if it seems too long, or you can choke up on the shaft to make it easier to handle. To determine the proper stick length: Stand in your skates. Put the toe of the stick on the ground. The stick should reach somewhere between your chin and the tip of your nose. How To Buy Goalie Skates [To Top] Skate construction Hockey skates are comprised of two basic parts--the boot and the blade. Boot Most skates are manufactured with a combination of leather and synthetic materials for durability, performance and comfort. The exact mixture of these components, with names like Kevlar and graphite depends on the quality of the skate and the cost. Goalie skates are similar in construction to regular hockey skates but are designed differently with a wider blade and lower boot with more ankle and foot protection. Blade Skate blades are made of steel and have a concave (hollowed out) shape. An important factor in performance is blade radius- the amount of the skate blade that is actually in contact with the ice. The radius is measured by placing the blades together, bottom to bottom and holding them up to the light. The length where the blade edges make contact is the radius. Goalie blades have a less hollow grind and a larger radius. Determining your skate size. Tips Choosing the proper size for your hockey skates is different than choosing the size for a pair of sneakers. Hockey skates need to be tighter to offer more stability and less abrasion when skating. Remember to measure yourself wearing thick hockey socks. Do not buy larger sizes for children to grow into. This hinders their ability to learn how to skate, and could hurt their feet and ankles. Sizing In order to determine the size skate you will need you must first determine your shoe size, see Determine Your Shoe Size. Once you have determined your proper shoe size, you can figure out what size skates you will need depending on the brand of the skate: For CCM skates find your athletic shoe size and subtract 1 shoe size. This is your CCM skate size.. For Bauer and Nike find your athletic shoe size and subtract 1 1/2 shoe sizes. This is your Bauer or Nike skate size. For Mission the size of your skate is the same as your atletic shoe size. Breaking-In New Pads [To Top] Every goal pad has two breaks, one at the knee and one at the foot. You want to make sure that these breaks are really broken in before using because movement will be impaired if it is not. Here are some tips: Boot Hold the pad upright as if it was on your leg. Standing over it, push down on the top of the pad so the knee bends and the foot articulates. Push as far as it will go and then tie the pad in that position with a skate lace and leave overnight. Untie the pads the following day and give them a few good hits with a hockey stick. This stretches the leather and softens the padding. Then tie them up again and repeat the entire process. After a few cycles, the pads should be ready to wear on the ice. From the time you get your pads, be sure to tie them up after use to retain shape. After time on the ice, allow your pads to dry properly. Hang them up in a well-ventilated room. Do not put them in direct sunlight, which will dry and crack the leather.