Ice hockey is played at high speed. Players can shoot the puck at speeds approaching 100 mph and players body check each other in an attempt to take possession of the puck. The chance of injury is significant and players must wear protective equipment. The National Hockey League and the International Ice Hockey Federation have rules on the equipment used in the sport.
Sticks
Players' stick can be made of wood or other materials approved by the NHL and the IIHF. Those materials include aluminum and plastic. The sticks cannot be more than 63 inches in length or more than 12-1/2 inches from the heel of the stick to the toe. The curve of the stick can not be more than 3/4 of an inch.
Protective Equipment
All players at every level of the game must wear protective helmets. Players who are under 18 years old must wear a protective cage facemask. All protective equipment other than helmets and gloves must be worn under the uniform for non-goaltenders. If a player's helmet comes off during the middle of play, he is allowed to continue to play without it. However, he must put it on at the next stoppage of play.
Goaltender's Equipment
All goaltenders are required to wear masks. The mask must protect the entire front portion of the face and the back of the head. Leg pads cannot exceed 38 inches in length or 11 inches in width. Leg pads must be worn on the outside of the uniform. The goaltenders' catching glove cannot be more than 45 inches in perimeter. The blocking glove that holds the stick cannot be more than 15 inches in length or 8 inches in width.
Illegal Equipment
You are not allowed to alter equipment when playing in a game. For example, players cannot cut out the palm of their gloves in order to be able to grab their stick with their bare hand. This is seen as giving the player an unfair advantage and is penalized with a two-minute minor penalty. Players can wear elbow pads under their uniform jersey, but that elbow pad must have a protective outer covering of sponge rubber. If the elbow pad does not have this covering, it is deemed illegal and the player will be penalized for using dangerous equipment.
Skates
All skates worn must be considered hockey skates and manufactured by a licensed hockey skate manufacturer. This includes goalie skates, which are specialized but still considered hockey skates. Players can not wear speed skating skates, figure skates or any other type of specialty skates. Game administrators consider non-hockey skates to be dangerous equipment.
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