Ice hockey is a popular sport. There are many children all around the world who play ice hockey either for competition or for fun. Either way ice hockey is a dangerous sport. Inexperienced players can injury themselves and many of those injuries can be very serious. For this reason there a wide number of hockey players that are required to wear protective ice hockey equipment. If your child is going to be playing ice hockey for fun or for competition it is important that you familiarize yourself with the different types of ice hockey equipment.
The first thing that a parent should buy their child who is interested in playing ice hockey is hockey skates. Hockey skates can be purchased from a wide variety of different locations. When purchasing hockey skates for your child it is important that you take them along with you. Since hockey skates come in a wide variety of different sizes and styles it is important that your child actually tries on skates before you purchase them. This will allow you to make sure that you are buying skates that will actually fit and be comfortable for your child to wear.
A hockey bag is another piece of ice hockey equipment that you may want to purchase. A hockey bag is completely optional; however, many hockey players use them to carry all of their personal belongings and hockey gear. These hockey bags are often on wheels and similar to a suitcase, but with a sports touch.
The rest of the ice hockey equipment that you may have to purchase will likely depend on whether your child is only playing for fun or for competition. Many school hockey teams will provide the additional ice hockey equipment. This equipment may include, but is not limited to, a hockey uniform, protective padding, hockey sticks, and helmets. Parents of children only playing for fun will have to purchase all of these other pieces of ice hockey equipment. While many schools will provide the above mentioned equipment for their players there are still many players who enjoy having their own ice hockey equipment.
If you need or would like to purchase additional equipment for your child you may need to purchase protective padding. This padding often includes knee pads and elbow pads. An ice hockey goalie may require additional padding because they are more at risk from being injured due to a flying hockey puck.
There are a wide variety of different types of ice hockey helmets available. An ice hockey goalie will have to have a different type of helmet then the rest of the players. Most ice hockey helmets do not come with a face mask or a face cage; however, they often can be purchased separately as an add on. There are many schools that require these face cages or masks to prevent injury.
Hockey gloves and hockey sticks may also need to be purchased. They each come in a wide variety of different styles. As with just about every other piece of ice hockey equipment a goalie will have to have different gloves than traditional players. Most hockey sticks are made out of wood; however, other materials can also be used.
Purchasing your child the right ice hockey equipment will not only allow you to encourage them to play the sport, but it will also help to keep them safe. Hockey equipment can be purchased online or from a sports store. Wherever you decide to purchase your child’s ice hockey equipment from just remember you are helping to keep them safe while they play a sport that they love.
