Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the winter, and for good reason! Not only does it allow you to channel your inner child while enjoying some physical activity, but you can also play with some of your favourite celebrities!
If you’re looking to take up ice-hockey this winter, then you might be wondering how much equipment you’ll need. While it’s true that you’ll need some basic equipment such as a helmet, you’ll also need a few special items.
If you’re completely new to hockey, then it might be difficult to know what exactly you’ll need. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to help you put together your hockey station.
Table of Contents
Hockey Equipment You’ll Need
To start off simply, you’ll need a hockey helmet. This is the piece of equipment that will protect your head if you accidently hit it on the ice, as well as offering some aesthetic appeal. Don’t worry, there are many more useful things you’ll need beyond a helmet!
The next thing you’ll need is goggles, for obvious reasons. These will protect your eyes from getting hurt if you fall off your bike or hit your head on the ice. They also come in handy if you’re driving a car and need to protect your eyes from the blinding sunlight. Just make sure to put them on before you start driving!
Next up are some gloves. No, not those ridiculous gloves that children wear around the house. We’re talking about the real deal, the kind of gloves NHL hockey players wear. They don’t just enhance your grip on the ice but also offer some protection from getting knuckle-wrapped by a bigger player. If you’re planning on heading into a fight, then you might also want to invest in some elbow pads and a pair of shin guards.
The Basics Of Wearing Hockey Equipment
Now that you have all of your essential equipment, it’s time to learn how to properly put it on. As we mentioned, the helmet is the most recognizable piece of hockey equipment. When you’re taking a seat on the bench, it’s the first thing fans will see you wearing. After all, there’s a reason why it’s called a hockey helmet!
To put it on, simply grab the strap and pull it over your head. Don’t worry, the helmet will stay on even if you fall off your bike or get into a fight. Once you have the helmet on, you can adjust the strap so it feels snug but not too tight. You might notice that some helmets come with a chin strap, which you can also use. Just make sure to tie it behind your head to keep your head safe and secure when you’re taking a break from playing. If you want a more professional look, then you can also choose from a wide array of hockey helmets that offer a different look and feel. Some of the most popular designs include:
- Classic
- Flat-back
- Goggles
- Visor
- Shield
- Hood
You’ll also need a shirt to protect yourself from getting injured during a game. While it’s not critical that you wear a shirt, it is recommended. Just make sure to wear a plain white T-shirt that is not too thin, as this could potentially make you more visible to the other team’s players. For younger children, you might want to choose a brightly coloured T-shirt to make them easier to spot on the ice. Of course, the choice is entirely up to you!
To put on the gloves, simply pinch the tips of your fingers and slip the gloves on your hands. Some people prefer to use the inside of their arms to help get the feel of the gloves. This is completely optional, but can make a difference in how well you’re able to pull off a certain move. When putting on the shin guards, make sure to tuck the bottom of the pad under your pant leg to keep it from sliding down.
Accessorizing
As we mentioned, the first thing that will catch the eye is your helmet. If you’re looking to add a bit of flair to your look, then you have numerous options when it comes to helmets. For example, if you play music on the guitar, you can choose from a variety of metal headbands in different colours that will allow you to show off your musical taste. Some of the most popular choices include:
- White Metal
- Black Metal
- Red Metal
- Yellow Metal
- Blue Metal
As a beginner, you might not have much money to spend on expensive items such as hockey equipment. That’s why it’s important to look for the best and most suitable items that will suit your needs. The best part is that all of these items can be found at a cheaper rate. With a little bit of search engine optimization (SEO), you can be sure to find much cheaper deals and promotions if you’re looking to put together a starter kit. You can also ask other players or team staff for their recommendations on good products that will help you improve your game. Having a few of these conversations is more beneficial than spending hours going through online reviews, trying to determine the truth about a product’s quality.
Other Equipment You Might Need
Besides the helmet, goggles, and gloves, you’ll need a lot more equipment to play hockey! Here’s a short list:
First off is the standard sports equipment like a hockey stick and a puck. The hockey stick is what you’ll use to smash the ice with, while the puck is what you’ll use to propel the puck around the ice. For younger players, you might want to choose a different stick as this one is specifically designed for adults. Next, you’ll need some pads to cushion your body blows. These are not the same as the shirt that you wear to protect yourself from getting injured. The pads are meant to protect you from getting injured by the other players’ skates or sticks, as well as the boards that you’ll hit if you fall off your bike. The last but not least item is the mouthpiece. This is a small piece of plastic that you’ll slip over your tongue to protect it from getting injured by the other players’ skate blades. A lot of people wear these items together, especially in the wintertime. This is for warmth rather than looks, as it can often times be difficult to tell which end is up while wearing them.
Hopefully, this article helped you understand the essentials of putting together a hockey station. From the helmet, to the shoes, to the gloves, to the pants, to the shirt, to the pads, and the mouthpiece, you’ll have everything you need for an authentic hockey experience. Of course, this depends on what kind of hockey you want to do. If you want to play a more aggressive game, then you might want to add another pair of gloves and maybe even some shin guards.