A hockey net is like a piece of cake; it’s pretty self-explanatory. However, just like with most things in life, there are different opinions as to what the perfect size should be. Some would say it should be as large as possible, while others would argue that a smaller size would suffice.
Whatever your opinion, there’s one thing we know for sure: no matter what size you choose, it needs to be able to withstand high velocity hockey pucks for the majority of the game.
Table of Contents
Size
This one seems pretty obvious. Let’s be real here, no one wants to play with a small hockey net. Sure, it may be lighter and more portable but it won’t be able to withstand the strenuous hitting that takes place during a hockey game. In other words, it will break. And when that happens, it usually creates a scene.
According to National Athletic Equipment, the dimensions of a hockey net are as follows:
- WIDTH: The width of the hockey net determines how much room your goaltender has to work with. Generally speaking, the wider the net, the more room the goaltender has.
- LENGTH: The length of the hockey net is important in determining how well your goaltender can see the ice. The longer the net, the better the sight-lines for the goaltender.
- HEIGHT: The height of the hockey net is important in creating space above the bar. The higher the net, the more space there is for players and spectators to enjoy the game experience.
- DEPTH: Whether you play in the minor or the major leagues, the depth of the hockey net ultimately determines how well your goaltender can stop the puck. The deeper the net, the better the stopping power.
- TILE: This one might sound a bit confusing but a good goaltender knows that a smooth, even surface is the key to successful stopping. Some would even say it’s a bit of a magic spell that can make or break a goaltenders game. Thankfully, a smooth surface can be created by laying a smooth tile on the ice before the game starts. This helps the goaltender get an even feel before the puck is dropped and also lessens the chances of the puck being stuck on the ice during play.
- DARK: Whether you’re playing indoors or out, the color of the hockey net can make or break your game experience. Blue is usually the preferred choice for indoor games since it is less visible against the backdrop of the LED lights but if you play outdoors, it depends on the atmosphere you are trying to create. Orange nets are often used for promotional purposes during outdoor games since they seem to fit the theme better than blue ones do.
For the best hockey game experience, we recommend using these measurements to determine what size of a hockey net you need.
Portable
A lot of people think that having a portable hockey net is pretty cool because it allows for more flexibility. This may be true but it also has its downside. One of the biggest issues with a portable net is that the weight can be a pain to transport. These things are usually designed to be folded or tied down with ropes so that they can be stored in a compact manner. Sometimes, people even opt for stackable portable nets so that they can store multiple nets at once. While tying it down may keep the puck from rolling away, this also makes it more difficult to carry.
Sturdy
A good sturdy hockey net is a combination of the two previous points. It’s got the light weight portability of a portable net but it also has the extra strength to withstand the constant banging that comes with a robust game. This generally means that the material used to make the net is thicker than that of a typical portable net. Thicker materials allow for better durability but they also add more to the weight. This is why most people would rather store a portable net than use one during a game. The material used to make these things is usually nylon or polyester but some would argue that a mesh net would be even more durable and much lighter. The main issue with a sturdy net is that it takes up more space in storage. This is because it takes two hockey sticks to tie it down. One in the middle and one at the ends. When folded, it takes up more room than a typical net. The other downside to a sturdy net is that the hitting surface becomes less comfortable as the material gets thicker. This is especially notable if your team is playing in an outdoor arena where the grass serves as the main surface.
Comfort
This one might be the most important point since the comfort of the hitting surface is something that extends beyond the dimensions of a hockey net itself. The comfort of the hitting surface is important for two reasons. First, the comfort of the hitting surface increases the effectiveness of the athlete using it. Second, the comfort of the hitting surface creates an atmosphere that is more suitable for the fans in attendance for the game. We’re always looking for ways to make things more comfortable for our clients so we thought this would be a good fit.
Appearance
This point mostly relates to the aesthetic appeal of having a hockey net. We’re all for creating a unique look for your team but there’s also an artistry to having a clean, classic look. We all love eye-catching prints and brightly coloured nets but sometimes, less is more. It may be overwhelming to choose a pattern or colour for your entire team’s equipment but if you find that the classic white net makes your team look better, it’s worth the effort to opt for this simple but effective look. We suggest you experiment with this option and see how your fans respond. If you want to add a bit more pizzazz to your team’s appearance, you can always choose an orange or red net to really stand out.