Goalie equipment for ice hockey has come a long way from the beginning of the sport. From the first use of pads to protect the legs, goalie equipment has evolved into sophisticated gear that protects a goalie under the most demanding playing situations. Helmets, gloves, sticks, pads and skates are all designed to maximize safety while preserving the ability to move and guard the goal effectively.
Head Gear
In hockey, most players now where protective helmets. The goalie mask is, by far, the most substantial. Originally made of fiberglass covering the entire face of the goalie, today's goalie masks more resemble the cage and helmet design of modern football helmets, albeit much more substantial, with a reinforced neck guard and face cage. Visually, this opens the front of the mask more, allowing the goalie a much better field of view, while still providing maximum protection. Goalie masks are often customized with graphic art to suit the goalie's tastes or to reflect the colors and logo of the team.
Body Protection
Goalie pads are also more substantial than the average player's pads. At first made of leather, modern shin pads are constructed of multiple densities of foam built up in layers and covered with a synthetic material that is waterproof. Well-fitting shin pads cover the front of the goalie's skates all the way up to the top of the thigh. The chest protector is worn under the jersey and covers the chest, shoulders and upper arms.
Clothing
Clothing begins with the cup and hockey jock, a form of athletic under garment that protects the groin from injury. This is covered with a pair of leggings, socks and goalie pants, which also contain protective padding. For the upper body, an athletic under shirt is worn under the chest pads. The jersey is the over-shirt that covers the pads. Jerseys usually signify the number of the player and the team they play for. The clothing is loose fitting for comfort and to allow the goalie to move freely.
Gloves and Blocking Gear
Goalie gloves consist of two separate gloves, one called the trapper and the other called the blocker. The trapper opens and closes similar to the same way a baseball glove works. This glove is specifically used to catch hockey pucks shot at a goal. The blocker consists of a large rectangular pad attached to the back of a long glove. A blocker glove is more flexible and is used to hold a goalie stick.
Skates
Goalie skates are designed differently than other hockey skates. The blade is usually much shorter, bringing the foot of the goalie closer to the ice. The blade is also longer and wider to provide a better stance. The edge is ground flatter to allow for lateral movement. Finally, the boot of the skate is usually housed in a hard, impact-resistant cowling.
Stick
The hockey stick of a goalie is broader at the blade and along the bottom half of the shaft than a regular hockey stick. This is used to deflect the hockey puck and to better guard the goal. Goalie sticks can be made of wood, aluminum or composite materials. For professional play, the goalie stick is required to have a knob at its end made of tape or some other protective material.
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