Now that you have decided to join a team, you are going to need to start thinking about assembling your very own set of hockey equipment. There are several extremely important things that you are going to want to buy, and some of them might not be as obvious to you as others. When you get to the athletic supply store, these are some of the things that you will be looking at.

There are three basic bits of gear which are completely necessary if you are going to have any chance at all of participating in this sport. If you don\’t have these items at the very least, you just can\’t play.

Without skates you won\’t be able to streak around the ice as fast or as accurately as you will need to. Unless you have a stick, you are going to be kicking the puck a lot. And without a helmet you run the risk of serious injury, perhaps even death.

So there are at least those three items that you will need to get sorted out. The skates should fit you well and provide enough ankle support for you to make those hard turns and braking maneuvers. You will be wearing them for possibly more than a couple of hours at a time, so it is also a good idea to make sure they are both comfortable and warm. Your feet will swell a bit after you have been skating for a while, so be sure to take that into account.

The stick comes in two basic varieties. The curvature of the blade is different for left handed and right handed players, and if you get the wrong kind you will find it almost impossible to handle the puck properly.

Also make sure that the stick is long enough that you can use it effectively but not so long as to be cumbersome. NHL rules prohibit sticks longer than sixty three inches, and the usual range is between forty six and sixty three inches. A good rule of thumb is that the end of the stick should come to your chin when you are standing in your skates.

Your helmet is arguably the most important piece of gear that you will buy. A good face mask or shield will be helpful, and the helmet must fit snugly. Make sure it is rated by a standards board to be used as a protective device. It is not usually a good idea to opt for a cheaper helmet when you can afford one of higher quality. Head injuries are common and often traumatic in this sport.

Pads, gloves, and of course a crotch protector are all going to be good ideas as well. But as long as you have a helmet, a stick, and some skates you are well on your way to being the next Guy LaFleur. Take your time and select the best hockey equipment you can afford. It will probably be worth it in the end.

Author Bio: Pro Hockey Life provides an extensive inventory of hockey equipment including the latest in hockey sticks, hockey skates, apparel and memorabilia.

Category: Sports
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