There are several items that you would find useful in a hockey player’s kit bag or goodie bag, some of which are more useful than others. The items below are all things that either the NHL or the minor leagues have found to be useful over the years.
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Hockey Pins
Hockey pins are small brass or copper disks, usually found in sets of four, six, or eight. They were initially used to keep track of which team members were wearing which jersey during the Original Six days when the NHL was on strike in 1979-80. The strike eventually led to the creation of the Winter Classic®, an annual outdoor hockey game between teams representing the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks that has now become an annual tradition.
Hockey pins are still used today, but now the individual disks are more valuable than ever before. They have become popular among collectors and are highly sought after by hockey fans and sports memorabilia enthusiasts alike. It is not uncommon for sets of twenty-four to sell for as much as $600 USD.
Water
Another item that has become rather collectable is water. While it is not uncommon to find drinking fountains in hockey rinks, the sport did not become the highly commercialized entity that it is today without realizing the importance of hydration. Even now, hockey players are often found carrying water bottles to keep hydrated as they work their muscles during the game. If you are lucky enough to find ice-tea makers at hockey venues, you can be sure that your players will be asking you for a cold one after every period.
Goggles
Protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays with UV protective goggles, also known as sunglasses. These are especially useful for hockey players who spend a lot of time outside on the ice or at the rink. Not only does playing hockey expose you to harmful UV rays, but also the ice can be quite slippery, which can cause you to lose your glasses.
Jacket
More and more sports fans are recognizing the importance of staying warm in extreme weather conditions. Game day is no longer a day at the beach for fans of the winter sport, especially those who have traveled from the far reaches of the northern climes to see their team play. The elements can be quite unpredictable leading to temperatures that range from the moderate (that is, cold but not painfully so) to the extreme (that is, freezing).
Keeping a jacket on during the game is therefore essential as a means of both identifying yourself as a fan of the sport and protecting your valuables (credit cards, ID, etc) from the wind. The jacket is also a rather versatile item as it can be utilized to shield you from the rain, the sun, or the snow, so it can also double as a fashion accessory when you are not feeling particularly sporty.
Jacket Spray
Finally, we come to the rather useless but fashionable jacket spray. Like the pin, the jacket spray is another example of a winter sport trophy. Worn by champions around the world, the jacket spray is typically made of gold, silver, or bronze (the metal that the Stanley Cup is based on) and has the champion’s name inscribed on it. It is perhaps fitting that a spray can, which can be used to spray clothing and accessories, is the final piece in this list of useful hockey items, as fashion has always been an essential part of the game.
Fitness Tracker Bags
Like most other professional sports, hockey has also taken a rather practical turn, borrowing concepts from the outside world and using them to improve performance. One area that is often targeted for enhancement is one’s overall fitness. Keeping track of your physical activity level can be a great way to monitor your progress as you strive to become more fit and healthy. Fitness Tracker bags are great for this purpose and can keep your gym bag light while still containing all of the equipment and accessories that you need for your workout. They can also be used to track the exercises that you perform during and between games, allowing you to see your daily activity level and whether or not you are achieving the results that you are seeking.
NHL Coffee Mugs
When the coffee lover in your life starts feeling a bit lonely, they can always look to the coffee mug that they lovingly hand-picked out from among the vast array of officially licensed NHL products for support. Whether it is going to be Ceramic Mug, Coffee Mug, or Hot Chocolate Mug, they are bound to find something that will bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces when they drink their morning coffee or evening tea.
The coffee mug is a rather useful item for hockey fans, especially those who are rather partial to a nice cup of joe while they are sat in the luxury of their living rooms. It is also rather suitable as a gift for hockey fans, whether they are individuals or couples. It is rather hard to find a present that is more personal and unique than a coffee mug that is adorned with the recipient’s favorite team’s logos and colors.
Hockey Stick Pads
Longer and longer blades have made hockey sticks more useful than ever before for players and coaches, especially in slick and snowy conditions. The problem for fans is that the longer the blades, the harder it is to keep track of which end is up. This is why hockey players often carry around a small container of sand or a small towel to keep their sticks clean and dry. There is also the issue of theft behind these items as coaches and players alike like to keep their gear as clean as possible.
Rolling Case
Hockey cases are essential for storing and transporting one’s equipment. The more fashionable among them are designed in the shape of a brick, with the outside made of heavy-duty ballistic nylon and containing a foam insert to cushion the contents within. While the case may not be directly on this list, it is worth including as it is a must for any hockey fan. This case can be used to store and transport all of the above items listed here, along with a spare helmet, gloves, and a sports drink.
Burgundy And White Football Hoodies
Burgundy and white are the most famous and arguably the most fashionable colors in sports. They represent the passionate and patriotic supporter and the stylish and savvy business executive who doubles as a sports fan. The combination is magical and these two popular colors make for the ideal match when it comes to creating the ultimate sports fan hoodie.
The hoodie will provide your team with a full camouflage look while also giving you the individuality and distinction of a patterned surface against which you can splash your colors. This is a particularly useful item if you are a fan of the Harlem Renaissance and the distinctive culture and art that it promoted among African Americans.
Hoodies have become quite popular among sports fans, especially those who follow sports other than hockey. They provide a means of camouflaging the individual while still displaying their allegiance to their team and its iconic colors. The fact that these colors are already the flag colors of both the United States and Canada further enhances their symbolic significance.
The above items should have you covered for all of your basic needs as a fan of the sport. From keeping you warm during your daily workouts to protecting you from the rain or sun, these items will allow you to follow your chosen teams without fear of missing out.