
The price of hockey
equipment will vary with the age and ability of your child. The
older and more advanced a child the more expensive the equipment.
The uniform consist of a jersey,
that displays the team name, logo and color. The player's last
name and number are listed on the back.
Each hockey player is responsible
for purchasing the following equipment: Skates, stick,
padded gloves and pants, shin guards, elbow pads, athletic cup for boys,
pelvic protector for girls, shoulder-chest pads, mouth guard, and a
helmet with full face mask.

Hockey Puck - A regulation ice hockey puck is
made of solid black rubber and weighs about 6 oz. They are 1 inch
thick and 3 inches in diameter. Children ten years old and under use a
smaller puck. It is blue and weighs around 4.5 oz.
Hockey Skates - Skates are a players most important piece of equipment. Ice hockey
skates are well padded with hard, molded plastic built in to protect the
heel, arches, and toes. Shoe and skate size are not necessarily the same. Make sure your
child is measured properly to get the right size skates. Remember that
skates must fit snugly, with one pair of socks, in order to provide your child with the best
support. Skates that are too big will retard your child's skating
abilities and put them at risk of injury. If toes are all the way to the
front of the skate there should be one finger width space between the
players heel and the back of the boot. Players should not be able
to lift their heels and their toes should be able to move when they have
their skates properly laced. Skate laces should be 3/8" cotton with
plastic tips to ensure that they do not slip once they are tightened.
It is important for your child to dry their blades after each use and
skate guards should be used to transport and when walking on non-ice
surfaces. Approximate cost $70 to 400.
Helmet and Face Mask-
Your child's helmet should provide full facial protection and a
chinstrap. Most helmets allow for size adjustments so they can be
worn for several years. Be sure the helmet fits snugly on your
child's head. It should not move around too much but it should not
feel tight either. It should fit just above the eyebrows.
The biggest difference in helmets
is the type of face mask that you select. You have the option of
plastic masks, similar to Plexiglas, or wire masks. Be sure when
your child puts on the mask they have clear vision. To fit your
child's facemask measure from the front of the helmet to the bottom of
the players chin. The child's chin should fit comfortably into the cup
of the facemask. Make sure the facemask is compatible with the
helmet. The following guidelines apply to the different types of
facemasks.
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Type I |
For players, excluding
goalkeepers, 10 years or older. |
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Type II |
For players, excluding
goalkeepers, 10 years and under. |
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Type III |
For goalkeepers of any
age |
The helmet and face mask must be
CSA certified. You can get a good helmet for between $70 and $80
and a youth helmet for about $55. Plastic face mask will cost
approximately $50 - $60 and wire will run about $25 - $30.
Hockey Stick - The hockey stick has to fit properly to the size and body shape of
your child. The type and style of the stick will vary based
on your child's hockey ability and type of game that they will play.
Basically when you are selecting a stick you must consider the material,
size, curve of the blade, lie and flex.
The type of shaft selected is simply a matter of preference since they
come in a variety of materials. They can be made of wood, fiberglass,
aluminum, graphite, kevlar or titanium. Younger players should
begin with a junior size, wooden stick because it is less expensive and
it has a narrower handle that will fit the hand better. As your
child's abilities improve you will need to research to determine what
fits their needs. Each type of stick has its own unique features
and qualities. Cost will vary based on different styles and
materials. It is important to keep in mind your initial investment
verses replacement value. Some type of sticks will need to be
totally replace if broken while with others parts can be replaced if broken.
The length of the stick is also very important. If your child is in
skates, put the toe of the stick on the ground, and it should reach
somewhere between their chin and the tip of their nose. Hockey sticks
come in two basic sizes junior or senior. Normally a junior stick
is between 46-54 inches long and a senior stick is 56 -62 inches
long. A defensive player will normally benefit from a longer stick while
a offensive player, who needs puck control, will use a shorter stick.
The flex or stiffness of a stick
is important for control. Most stick shafts will have flexes
gauged in medium stiff or extra stiff. Generally younger players
need more flex in their stick so they should use a medium. A stiffer
flex should be used by a stronger player.
In addition, hockey sticks are
identified as left, right. This refers to the curve of the blade.
Left meaning the blade will bend inward slightly and right meaning it
will bend outward slightly. The style used is based on preference
however most players will pick a model opposite their dominant hand.
Players that are just starting out should select a blade with a lessor
curve. When you are in ready position there shouldn't be a gap
between the ice and your blade. If there is a gap you must adjust the
lie, which is the angle between the blade and the shaft. A lie number is
printed on the front of the stick's shaft. The number will range from 4
to 8. The smaller the number the wider the angle. Usually
lower lie angle sticks are used for players who skate low to the ice and
carry the puck in front of them. A higher lie is for the player
who carries the puck close to their skates and tends to skate in an
upright position.
The blade and shaft of the stick
should always be taped. Friction tape is frequently used on the blade
since it is sticky on both sides and helps players catch passes.
When taping the blade you should always tape from heel to toe. Most
players will put several inches of tape on the top of the shaft to make
it easier to grip the stick. Black tape
is a preference since it will blend with the puck.
Wax should be used on all wood
and fiberglass style blades to keep water out and increase blade life.
Wax on composite blades will not make a difference in blade life.

Hockey Gloves
- Should fit snug but must have
ample room for the fingers and thumb. They must not be too snug in
the wrist area and must adequately cover the wrist. They should overlap
the elbow pad. The padding on the back of the glove should absorb all
shock. Approximate cost $35 - $140.
Jock
- It is lightweight and comfortable and comes equipped with a protective
cup. Also has tabs to hold socks in place. Approximate cost $15 -
$20.
Jill (Pelvic Protector)
- It is used to protect the pelvic area and to hold up socks. It
is fitted based on waist size and should fit snugly but comfortably.
Approximate cost $15 - $20.
Sports Bra
- Every female player should wear a sports bra. Approximate cost $15 -
$30.
Mouthpiece
- Is a mandatory piece of equipment required from Pee Wee through Midget.
It should be form fitting and cover at least all of the upper teeth.
It is strongly recommended to attach the mouthpiece to the helmet cage.
Approximate cost for $5 -$15 for the boil and bite style. If your
child needs a custom mouthpiece from their orthodontist it will cost
about $75.

Shin Pads - Shin pads come in both junior and senior sizes and come in inches.
A proper fit is necessary to protect the knee. The pad should
cover the knee when the leg is straight and when it is bent. It
should not restrict movement and must not leave any area above the skate
unprotected. These are worn under the uniform. Approximate cost $25 for junior pads - $100 senior
pads.
Shoulder Pads - The cap of the pad should protect the shoulder throughout a full range
of movement. Arm
pads should extend to the elbow pads and the back
pad should meet the top of the pants. The front flap should come
down far enough to cover the collarbone. For females a combination
of shoulder and chest protector is available for added protection.
These are worn under the uniform. Approximate cost $25 for junior pads - $100 for senior pads.
Elbow Pads
- Protection for the elbow area. Should fit snugly over the elbow by
placing the elbow in the circular area inside the pad and tightly
fastening all straps. For proper fit this pad must meet, without
space, the bottom of the shoulder pad. In addition the bottom of
the pad should fit down inside of the hockey gloves. These are worn
under the uniform. Approximate
cost $15 for junior pads - $80 for senior pads.

Pants
- Padded pants are sized according to your child's waist. They
must completely protect the front and side of the thigh, tail bone, hip
and kidney areas. They should slightly overlap the shin pads and should
meet the shoulder pads in the back. Approximate cost $60 - $170.
Socks
- Used to cover the shin pads. Hockey socks can be held up by athletic
supporters, velco straps or tape. Then tend to rip easily and you
may go through a few pair per season. They come in various sizes.
Approximate cost $15.
Throat Protector - Should protect the throat area and fit snugly. It is highly
recommended, but not mandatory in all leagues.
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