Hockey can be a scintillating game to play. Whether you are playing the game at the pro level or the recreational level, you need the proper equipment to play. You have to have hockey skates, a stick and a puck as the basics. However, several other pieces equipment are also needed.
Basics of Game
All players need to wear low-cut hockey skates to skate forward, backward, turn and stop quickly. Players need hockey sticks to shoot, pass and control the puck. Players also need to wear uniforms so all players know who their teammates are. The game also uses a vulcanized rubber puck that is hard and can travel at speeds up to 100 miles per hour and is shot at a hockey net.
Protective equipment
Players are required to wear helmets at all levels of the game. All players but those at the professional level must wear helmets with cage masks on them. Players have to wear gloves on their hand. The gloves are stiff and strong on the outside to protect the hands from being slashed or hit with the puck. The gloves are pliable on the palm side to give the player the ability to shoot, pass and hold on to the puck with ease. Players must wear pads underneath their uniform
Goaltender Equipment
The goaltender must wear a mask in all game situations. No goalie wore a mask until Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens donned a mask in 1959. Before that, goaltenders played the game with a bare face. Goalies have a goalie stick that is wider and longer than a skater's stick.The goalie also wears a catching glove, a blocking glove called a waffle board and thick leg pads to make kick saves. Goalies also wear specialized skates that have a flat, dull blade that allows the goalies to slide easily.
Equipment Controversy
An epidemic of hard hits in hockey have led to a serious concussion problem. Rules have been put in place to keep players from hitting each other from behind, but some players believe that the hard, plastic shoulder pads may be the reason for injuries. One of the issues being debated is a potential return to softer pads that would not cause as many injuries.
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