SELECTING EQUIPMENT

It’s important that all equipment fit properly and should not be grown in to. Properly fitting equipment should cover the entire area and not slide out of position. Pants for example need to extend down to the shin pads covering both the tailbone and thighs. Here is a checklist of equipment needed by every player:

• Helmet with full cage

• Mouth guard (optional in some leagues mandatory in others)

• Neck guard

• Shoulder pads

• Elbow pads

• Gloves

• Jock/Jill

• Hockey pants

• Shin guards

• Skates

• Long undergarments

• Hockey bag

• Clear hockey tape for socks

• Hockey tape for sticks

Goalies need specialized equipment such as a chest protector, knee guards, blocker, catching glove, mask, and goalie skates and stick.

Any piece of equipment should be replaced if it is worn out or has holes or especially cracks.

CHOOSING A HELMET

A helmet should fit comfortably without pressure. Pressure means the helmet is too tight. With the helmet on a player should be able to shake their head up and down, side to side, without the helmet moving.

The helmet should be no higher than a ½ inch above the eyebrows.

A helmet should not interfere with a player’s visibility.

Helmet cages should have a slight gap between the cage and side clips so that the cage and side clips can absorb impact.

Helmets and cages must be CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved to play in Canada.

Given the importance of protecting the head, this is the one piece of equipment where price shouldn’t be a primary consideration.

CHOOSING SKATES

Skates are the most expensive item. Players should be fitted at a hockey speciality store for skates to ensure a proper fit. Skates sizes are usually 1.5 times smaller than a player’s shoe size. Some players prefer their skates quite snug. Whatever the case, skates should never be loose and the foot should not be sliding around.

CHOOSING A STICK

Hockey sticks are either made of composite material or wood. Composite sticks are what NHL players use.

Composites are made from woven carbon fiber and fiberglass blends making them incredibly light and giving them a consistent feel and performance. They come in a wide range of prices and wide variety of shapes, weights and flexes.

The two biggest disadvantages to composite sticks are the higher price and lack of durability compared to wooden sticks.

Wood sticks are far less popular than composites. However they’re still a great choice for beginners, younger players or those on a budget. They are durable and inexpensive. A big drawback to a wood stick is the weight. A wooden stick weighs much more than a composite.

WHICH TYPE OF STICK IS RIGHT FOR YOU

There are many things to consider when deciding upon a stick: righty or lefty, price, weight, length, flex, blade curve and kick point to name the most important.

STICK LENGTH

Shorter sticks give a player more control with the puck whereas longer sticks give reach and a stronger shot with less effort. Sticks generally come in four sizes: senior, intermediate, junior and youth. Each size reflects a different shaft circumference and flex going from smallest to biggest circumference and flex.

If a player is wearing skates, their stick should generally come up to between their chin and nose when they are holding the stick straight up in front of them. If a stick is too long, mark a spot on the shaft between the player’s chin and nose and cut the stick accordingly. The length being between the chin and nose is a rule of thumb only and can change with personal preference.

A stick may also be lengthened by inserting an end plug at the end of the shaft. Extensions can be composite or wood. We use wood extensions even though we use composite sticks. Wood extensions are far cheaper and don’t noticeably upset the weight or balance of the stick. Extensions extend the life of a stick.

Adding an extension decreases the flex (stiffness) of a stick whereas cutting a stick down to fit a player increases the flex.

FLEX

Flex is the amount of force (in pounds) it takes to bend the shaft of the stick four inches. The higher the flex the stiffer the shaft. A good fit is a stick that allows the player to bend the shaft a little and without much effort. Most players prefer flexible and light shafts that allow for optimal passing and shooting. The correct flex should permit a player to bend the shaft when they take a wrist or slap shot. A rough rule of thumb is that the flex is one-half the player’s body weight although that is a very rough guide. Thus a taller, heavier player needs a higher flex. Smaller, younger players need lower flex shafts as they require less force to bend.

KICK POINT

A kick point is only relevant when discussing composite sticks. It is associated with Flex and is the area in the shaft where the stick flexes the most. There are three types of kick points and each caters to a style of play. The three kick points are: low-kick, mid-kick and custom.

A low-kick is made for player’s who prefer a fast shot release. It’s mainly for quick wrist and snap shots as the shaft flexes near the blade. It’s designed to get the puck to the net as fast as possible.

A mid-kick is where the shaft bends mostly in the middle and is made for shooters who like to unload hard slap shots and heavy wrist shots. It offers full powered shots especially for players shooting from greater distances.

Not all brands offer a custom kick-point. It’s customized to flex wherever you place your bottom hand on the shaft. This type of stick is designed to optimize the power of a player’s shot.

BLADE CURVE

Curves can be deep, moderate or slight. A deep curve provides a deadlier forehand shot but sacrifices accuracy and makes backhands more difficult.

A moderate curve provides a balance of forehand and backhand control and is good for beginners and playmakers alike.

A slight curve gives the best control but sacrifices power on the shot.

The point on the blade at which the curve begins is also important. The curve can begin near the heel (where the shaft is attached) or closer to the toe of the blade. A heel curve allows for stronger wrist shots while a toe curve allows for quicker snap shots.

BEFORE YOU BUY

It’s worth the time, money and effort to experiment with different makes and models of sticks before purchasing. Many good hockey stores have shooting galleries for a player to try out different stick sizes, blades, flexes, kick points, etc.

DID YOU KNOW

70% of hockey players shoot left. That’s why hockey stores have fewer righty sticks. It’s also why righty D are highly sought after.

KEEP YOUR RECEIPT

Stick manufacturers provide warranties on their sticks. Keep your receipt so if a stick breaks within thirty days of purchase you should be able to return it to the store for a full refund or replacement.

SAVING MONEY

Equipment is expensive. Some hockey stores sell used equipment and others accept trade-ins (on certain types of gear) or provide discounts on the purchase of new gear. We’re from Toronto so are aware that Play-It-Again Sports sells used equipment and accepts trade-ins. Majer Hockey is one of the best speciality hockey stores and offers a wide assortment of new and used skates and has a very knowledgeable staff.