Ice Hockey is a fun and interesting game that can be played, both indoors and outdoors. Like any other team sports, it requires a fair amount of hard work, team play and strategy in order to win the game. The game is fun and enjoyable, yet there are also the risks of being injured. The common injuries that a player could get are concussion from falls or tackles from other players. There are also risks of getting cuts from sharp blades as well as frost bite due to very low temperature.
Ice Hockey is a fast and hard hitting sport. To protect yourself from any possible injuries, you need to buy yourself the proper ice hockey equipment.
Learning how to choose the right ice hockey equipment is very important for your career. Image via Flickr
Get the Right Helmet
It is important to protect yourself from possible falls because one of your immediate concerns is your head. When you buy an ice hockey helmet, make sure that it fits exactly on your temple and doesn’t wobble. There are different types of helmets available in the market and most of them have safety compliance rules from a certified professional hockey association, such as the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). If the helmet you are buying doesn’t have any certification, you have to consider buying other helmets.
Get the Right Hockey Pads
Ice Hockey is a contact sport so players are required to wear safety pads for protection. If you’re buying pads for shoulders, you have to be sure that it is comfortable and it doesn’t annoy you while you play. Choose pads that are not too bulky or anything that has the tendency to loosen up from wearing. This is important because some players can bump you anytime during the game. If your shoulder pads loosens up in that area and someone bumps you, it would hurt a lot or worse, it might injure you in worst cases.
For elbow pads, make sure that it fits properly and won’t slip up. Also make sure that the pads are not too tight as it can constrict the blood flow. As for gloves, choose something that is made from Kevlar or nylon.
Get the Shin Guards
Shin guards are very important ice hockey equipment since the knees and the legs are the most vulnerable from being hit with a hockey stick. When buying shin guards, make sure that it fits over the knee cap just above the skate top. The standard length of shin guards run from seven inches in length to 17 inches.
Get the Right Hockey Stick
One of the important ice hockey equipment is the stick. When buying a stick you’ll have to take note of the size and type of the shaft. If you’re somewhat meticulous in hockey sticks, you might prefer aluminum shafts. Though aluminum types are more expensive compared to wooden shafts, they are tougher and can last longer with continued use.