HOCKEY EQUIPMENT

• Fitting Helmets
• Fitting Shin Guards
• Fitting Elbow Pads
• Fitting Girdles and Pants
• Choosing Sticks

FITTING HELMETS (Back to Top)

     To fit a hockey helmet measure the circumference of your head at the largest point. This is your helmet size. Match that size to the helmet size of the hockey helmet you are interested in. Most helmets are adjustable over a range of sizes. If you are sizing for a child get the larger size for growing room. If you are sizing for an adult get the smaller size for a snug more compact fit. Some helmets are one piece and you should get the correct size depending on your head measurement.

FITTING SHIN GUARDS (Back to Top)

     To correctly fit a shin guard put your skate on and measure from the center of your kneecap down to the skate. If you play defense consider measuring to the top to the skate cuff for the most protection. If you like more mobility in your skating measure to the top of the tongue. Round to the nearest half or whole inch.
     Straps on shin guards are almost always to long or too short or not even there. Usually they are too short.  We recommend you pick up a pair of additional shin straps. They are typically made of Velcro and elastic neoprene, two per guard.  These are the best ways to ensure that your guard will not slip or twist keeping you protected when you need to be.

FITTING ELBOW PADS (Back to Top)

     Elbow pads should fit snug with out constricting movement. They should not slip up and down your arm or twist around. They should also not hamper your ability to stickhandle or be tight enough to be uncomfortable.  Every pair of elbow pads from every manufacturer is different when it comes to sizing. The best thing to do is visit your local hockey shop and just try things on. Elbow pads are the number one piece of equipment players complain about.  Make sure they fit correctly and that you will be comfortable playing in them or you will be buying another pair.

FITTING HOCKEY GIRDLES AND PANTS (Back to Top)

     Most roller hockey players wear a girdle just like ice hockey players but of lighter weight. Roller hockey girdles differ from ice hockey girdles in that they are vented and made from less dense foam since roller hockey is not as physical as ice and uses a lighter puck. The belt on the girdle should come above the hips like a normal belt. The kidney pads should come about a third of the way up to your armpit, just below the ribcage.  The legs should fit fairly loose. There should be enough room to bend, flex, and skate without being too restrictive but not big enough that it becomes cumbersome. Depending on your league and style of play you should the determine the type of protection you need. It is often a good idea to have two girdles if you play roller and ice hockey. A lighter vented one for roller and a heavier more protective for ice. Below is a general sizing chart for hockey girdles and roller hockey pants.

HOCKEY STICK BASICS (Back to Top)

Wood Vs. Composite
     Sticks can be generalized into two categories, wood and composite.  Wood sticks are one solid piece and are not replaceable when worn or broken. Composite sticks are made of various materials such as graphite and Kevlar and are made of two pieces, the shaft and the blade. Both types of sticks come with a variety of flex ratings and blade curve patters.
     Wood sticks are usually less expensive then composite sticks but have their drawbacks. Wood sticks are very heavy compared to composite sticks and their flex very often varies, even between the same brand and model.  Also the blades on wood sticks often wear or split depending whether it is used on asphalt, indoors, or on ice causing the whole stick to be replaced.
     It is for these reasons composite sticks are have gained so much popularity.  While they are much more expensive they wood sticks, you have to buy a shaft and a blade, their performance is unrivaled by any wood counterpart. They are lighter, stronger, have exacting flex ratings, and allow for the blades to be changed out when they wear or break.
     Many people complain that they don't want to spend the money on composite stick saying they can buy two or three or more wood sticks. The truth is that a composite stick if treated correctly can last ten times as long if not more then a wood stick. Accidents do happen and a composite stick can be cracked or snapped like a wood stick but it is not nearly as likely. It takes a lot more to break a composite stick then a wood stick. Plus the blade can always be salvaged from a broken stick assuming that it is not what snapped and most manufactures offer a limited warranty to replace defective sticks which break prematurely. 

Changing Composite Stick Blades
     The only trick to changing composite stick blades is to not apply a flame directly to the stick and to take your time.  Stick heads are generally held in the shaft with some type of hot glue. To remove a blade apply heat from a propane torch, heat gun, or stove to the end of the shaft where it meets the blade. Apply the heat evenly up and down about eight inches. DO NOT HOLD THE HEAT OR FLAME TO THE STICK!!! This will melt or weaken the shaft and can ruin your stick. Once it is sufficiently heated step on the blade and pull the shaft up working the blade out.  If it doesn't budge with considerable force continue heating the blade until it comes out.
     To put a blade in just heat the glue on the hostel of the blade until is softens considerably but does not drip or run. Just push it into the stick, let it set for about 30 seconds, and wipe off the excess glue with a piece of cardboard or paper. Any glue that hardened on the shaft can be picked or scrapped off.  BE CAREFUL TO NOT DRIP HOT GLUE ON YOURSELF!!! Let it cool off, usually about 5 minutes and you are ready to play.

Fitting A Stick
     The general rule for fitting a stick is that when standing straight up on skates with the stick held parallel to your body it should reach somewhere between the middle of your neck and eyebrows. Some people, namely defensemen, like a slightly longer stick for reach while some forwards like it a little shorter for better control.  It is all preference as to what stick length you will use. Wood sticks are easy to cut down to a desired length and usually need to be for younger players. Adults of average height will find that a new stick will not have to be cut. Only composite sticks can be lengthened.  In the event that a stick does need to be longer the wood end plug is removed and replaced with a longer one, typically by two to three inches.