Ice Hockey Equipment
Ice Hockey Sticks / Blades / Shafts
Below is a selection of ice hockey sticks suitable for all ages and abilities. The choice of stick is the next most important piece of equipment after choosing your ice skates. You should feel at one with the stick and when you are working with the puck.
Although sticks can be made of various materials their relative cost is usually an indication of the longevity of the stick. For instance a budget wooden stick will be relatively cheap to purchase but will no double wear out quicket and you’ll be buying an entire new ice hockey stick.
Nowadays the shaft and blade combination are looked upon favourably for the flexibility it gives you in being able to replace a worn out blade when the shaft is in perfect condition.
Ice hockey stick shafts have a varying degree of flex to them and each player will have their own preference as to how much flex they like. In general junior players will favour a greater degree of flexibility whilst senior players prefer a more rigid shaft.
Select a stick that matches your size by standing in your normal shoes and have the stick in front of you. You are ideally looking to have the top part of the stick to come up to your nose. Shorter ice hockey sticks tend to favour more control when handling the puck for an offensive player. Likewise the longer ice hockey stick suits the characteristics of a defensive player in that it allows them to cover a greater area.
Finally you should understand the lie which is the relative angle of the blade to the stick. In the ready position there should be no gap visible between the ice surface and your blade.
Ice Hockey Helmets
The right helmet is imperative for any ice hockey player. Provding protection to the head the addition of a cage will also provide frontal protection to the face.
Ice Hockey Protective Clothing
From full body armour to shin guards and shoulder pads this range of ice hockey protective clothing should keep you safe from flying pucks and stray sticks!
