Ice hockey players cannot just go out on the ice and start playing. Instead, they must put on all the equipment associated with the game every time they take the ice. The equipment that hockey players use is both functional and protective. The sport started off with players wielding a stick and skating on hockey skates, and it now includes many levels of protective equipment.
Function
In order to play the game on the ice, players need hockey skates and a hockey stick. Hockey skates have two sharp edges and a beveled hollow between the two edges. Players have to turn quickly, and the sharp edges help them maneuver without stopping. The hockey stick is used to carry, pass and shoot the puck. The hockey stick may have a flat or curved blade. A flat blade gives the player more versatility for shooting, passing or using the backhand side of the stick. A curved blade will allow the player to shoot the puck harder and put more dipping and diving action on the puck after a hard slap shot is taken.
Benefits
Safety equipment is also used. The most obvious piece of protective equipment is a hockey helmet. It protects the head from injury after collisions with other players, from falls to the ice or getting hit with an errant puck or stick. Hockey gloves protect the hands from getting slashed with an opponent's stick and also give the player the dexterity to make and receive passes when holding the stick.
Protective Padding
Underneath the uniform, the players wear protective padding. Shoulder pads are smaller than the ones worn by football players, but they serve the same purpose. Shin pads allow players to block shots by sliding in front of the puck. Players also wear knee and thigh pads that provide protection. Rib pads are generally not worn, but players who are protecting upper body injuries will attach rib pads and upper body pads to the bottom of the shoulder pads.
History
Helmets were made mandatory in the NHL following the 1967 death of Minnesota North Stars forward Bill Masterton. After Masterton was checked legally by two members of the Oakland Seals at the same time, he fell backward, hit his unprotected head on the ice and died shortly thereafter. That led to rules requiring helmets at all levels of pro hockey. Former Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oiler and New York Ranger center Craig McTavish was the last player to play in the NHL without a helmet.
Goaltenders' Equipment
All goalies wear protective equipment from head to toe. Goalies were protective helmets for their heads and masks for their faces, have leg pads that extend from the top of their legs to the top of their skates and chest protectors. They also wear a catching glove, a waffle board pad for the hand that holds the goaltender's stick and protective steel toes on the front of their skate. Goaltenders did not wear masks until Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens put one on after absorbing a puck to the face in a game against the New York Rangers.
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