At its best, ice hockey is a game played with speed, skill and passion. Athletes move at full speed throughout a 60-minute game, fight for possession of a puck made of vulcanized rubber and use a long and sometimes vicious swing of their hockey stick to propel that puck at speeds that sometimes exceed 100 miles per hour. Yes, there is grace, beauty and power in the game. There is also danger around every turn. Players come into battle in colorful and memorable uniforms. The black and gold spoked-B of the Boston Bruins and the red, white and blue of the proud Montreal Canadiens are just two examples. But underneath those uniforms, players must be prepared for the battle with elbow pads, shoulder pads, shin guards and hockey pants that contain padding for the hips, pelvis, thigh and tailbone. Going into a game without this equipment, or using equipment that is worn, means taking a chance on serious injury.
What to Look for
The upper body is protected by shoulder and elbow pads. Shoulder pads are really much more than that. They also incorporate padding that protects the torso and the spine from heavy body checks as well as errant sticks. Elbow pads often include forearm and bicep protection along with a protective hard plastic shell for the elbow. Hockey pants have slots in them for the thigh pads, hip pads and other pads that protect areas including the tail bone and the pelvis. That protective equipment can weigh heavily on you, and suspenders are used to help carry the weight and make sure the padding stays in the correct place. In addition to this traditional protective equipment, players have also started to wear neck guards that protect the vulnerable throat area from skates, sticks and pucks. Hockey skates are razor sharp and a slash of a skate against another player's neck could have tragic consequences.
Common Pitfalls
Getting ready for a game can be quite intimidating for a young player. Unlike a sport like basketball, where all that is required is a ball, basketball shoes and a goal, going out to play hockey takes a serious financial commitment in order to purchase all the equipment. Some players may think the cost is too high and try to skip out on certain protective equipment like shoulder or elbow pads in order to reduce the expense. That is no solution, since the speed of the sport regularly produces intense collisions that could result in serious injuries. Pads also need to be examined periodically and replaced when they get worn out.
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