Ice hockey is a favored sport all over the world and is very popular in the US. Playing ice hockey can be exciting, and most importantly, it can help the player stay fit and active and productively channel all that raw energy.
However, ice hockey can also get rough, and you need proper hockey gear to safely play the sport and avoid injuries while playing on the ice.
Here are some things to know before you invest in your gear.
- Game Regulations
You should buy your ice hockey gear depending on your age and the league regulations where you would be playing. Younger players mostly opt for lighter gear- like light hockey sticks and lighter helmets.
On the other hand, depending on the club you are playing for or the match you will be eventually participating in, you might have to take care of weight regulations that do not allow the gear to be above or below a certain weight. Keeping these regulations in mind is essential before making the purchase.
- Player Position and Physique
The purchase of the ice hockey gear will depend on the position you are playing in. For example, the goalkeeper’s gear is different from the rest of the players on the ice rink. On the other hand, if you are playing in the offensive, you also need to be more careful about the quality of your protective gear, like the knee and elbow protection.
The helmet should have a face guard. The stature of the player also plays a crucial role. The gear should fit the player snugly- it should not be too tight or uncomfortable to restrict movement, nor should it be loose enough so that it risks coming off during the match as ice injuries can be severe at times.
- Weather Conditions
It would help if you determined the weather conditions before buying the ice hockey gear. It would help if you opted for insulated clothing when playing cold weather to keep yourself warm. Ice hockey can also be played in an indoor, temperature-controlled rink.
The jersey and the other items of the gear should be waterproof to withstand the moisture from the ice. If there are rain forecasts in the region where you play ice hockey, if you are playing on an open rink or a frozen lake, you need to have unique spiked shoes to prevent falls on the slippery ground.
- Age of the Player
Taking the age of the player into account is essential, especially in the case of young players. Kids often go through growth spurts, so it is essential to keep that in mind while buying gear for them.
Buying something too large in size in anticipation of the future might hinder their game at present, so you might want to buy a mid-range option at first and then settle for more high-end variants later.
Some of the most common items in ice hockey gear are gloves, helmets, shoes, goggles, shin guards and even mouthpieces. You should consider the size and the quality while buying them, and they should be responsible for enhancing the game of the player on the ice hockey rink.
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