Ice hockey players require a lot of gear. If you would like to start playing the sport, you should be prepared to invest at least $500 in gear, then add another chunk to that for bag to carry it all in. Penny-pinching can compromise your safety; hockey pads and guards must withstand some strong forces, so they should be good quality.
Headgear
Hockey players face potentially dangerous head injuries from the rock-hard ice and fast-moving puck. As such, you must wear a helmet when playing the sport. Many hockey helmets come with metal cages that cover and protect the face. Others come with transparent plastic shields or half-shields. What you wear depends on your preference; most professional players prefer the shields over the cages because the cages tend to obstruct your vision more. Players who don't like to wear shields or cages use a rubber mouthpiece to protect their teeth.
Gear for the Torso and Arms
Hockey players wear several pieces of gear on their torsos and arms. Shoulder and chest pads lessen the impacts from the boards and other players. Elbow pads help you avoid breaking an elbow when you fall onto the ice. Heavily padded hockey gloves protect your fingers and hands from the sticks of other players. Finally, players typically wear jerseys with their numbers on them.
Gear for the Legs
As you skate around the ice colliding with walls and other players, you need to wear hockey pants, groin protection, shin guards and hockey socks. The padded pants deflect incoming pucks from your thighs and protect your tailbone from getting bruised on the ice. Shin guards protect you from pucks and sticks. The hockey socks attach to the pants and hold your shin guards in place.
Skates and Sticks
Skates and sticks are probably the most expensive items a hockey player requires. You can buy a two-piece stick, consisting of a metal shaft and replaceable blade, or a one-piece stick that will probably be made made of wood. Heavy-duty hockey skates have thick skin and are very firm, like armor. They protect your feet and ankles from hits by pucks and sticks. Decent skates cost at least $150, with high-end skates costing upward of $750.
Goalie Gear
Goalies wear gear designed for their special purpose on the ice. Their helmets and masks are stronger and cover their necks as well. Be sure to buy a goalie mask designed for ice hockey to withstand a direct hit from a puck; masks designed for roller hockey cost less but break more easily and do not offer the same protection. Goalies also wear thicker leg pads and specialized gloves and use a taller stick.
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