The Hockey Development Centre for Ontario
The
following document was taken from
The Hockey Development Centre for Ontario
Guide
to Fitting Hockey Equipment
When
purchasing hockey equipment, the most important aspect to consider is
that the equipment is properly fitted. When equipment is not suitably
fitted, the player is exposed to injury.
This
guide is intended to be used by parents, coaches, trainers, and players
when selecting appropriate protective equipment before stepping on the
ice. The information contained herein should only be used as a guideline
when purchasing hockey equipment.
Three
important factors should be stressed when evaluating hockey equipment:
A. that the equipment is in proper condition, B. that the equipment is
properly maintained throughout its life span and C. that the equipment
fits properly.
A./
If any piece of equipment is cracked or is structurally unsound, it should
be replaced immediately or properly repaired by a professional. Equipment
should be inspected often so that all breaks can be recognized immediately
and properly attended to.
B./
All equipment should be hung to dry after every game or practice. This
reduces deterioration in the equipment’s structure and quality.
Skate blades and holders should be completely dried immediately after
every game or practice. This will prevent deterioration of the blade.
Proper maintenance involves examining all equipment frequently throughout
its life span.
C./
Equipment should cover the entire area of the body that it is meant to
cover. Equipment should never be bought to grow into. This leaves the
player at risk of serious injury, as equipment that is too big will slide
away from the area that it is protecting.
The
following are guidelines that will assist the consumer when fitting and
purchasing hockey equipment for themselves or their child.
Underwear
-
Wear light fitting, cool, comfortable undergarments during all games
and practices.
- When
fitting all other equipment, the same undergarments should be worn in
order to get the proper sizing.
- Wash
after every use.
Jock
(Jill) Strap
- This
piece of equipment should be fitted according to waist size and should
feel comfortable for the player.
- Tears,
especially where the two leg straps attach to the protective cup, should
be properly repaired or replaced immediately.
-
Protective cups come in sizes to suit all players.
Shin
Pads
-
When sizing, wear loosely fitting skates in order to get the proper
length of the shin pad.
- The
cap of the shin pad should be centred on the kneecap.
- The
bottom of the pad should fit where the foot and the leg meet at a 90-degree
angle.
- If
the pad is too short, it leaves an unprotected area above the skate
will be exposed.
- If
the pad is too long, it will restrict movement and create discomfort
for the player.
- Shin
pads are sized in inches and come in both junior and senior sizes.
- Cracked
pads should be replaced or properly repaired immediately.
Pants
-
Fitting should be done with shin pads properly in place.
- Pant
should slightly overlap the top of the shin pad.
- Pants
are sized according to waist size.
- Pants
must completely protect the front and side of the thigh, tail bone,
hip and kidney areas throughout the entire range of motion.
- When
fitting pants for females, fit hips first, then check the length of
the pant.
- Regularly
check for tears and irregularities in the pants.
Skates
-
Before sizing skates, check the person’s feet for any irregularities,
which would affect the size of skate.
- Player
should wear the same foot hosiery that they would in a game or practice
(i.e. socks, barefoot, etc.).
- With
the foot in an untied skate, have the player push foot forward so that
the toes touch the front of the skate.
- There
should be one finger width space between the player’s heel and
the back of the boot.
- Before
lacing up the skate, have the player kick the heel back in order to
ensure a snug fit.
- When
completely laced, eyelets should be 1.5 – 2 inches apart.
- Never
buy skates to grow into as this puts the player at risk of injury and
will inhibit their skating ability.
- Laces
should never be wrapped around the ankle as this inhibits blood flow.
- Blades
should be completely dried after every use.
- Skate
guards should be used during transport or when walking on non-ice surfaces.
- Never
dry skates over direct heat, as this may crack and damage the composition
of the skates
Shoulder
Pads
-
Should protect the entire shoulder joint throughout a full range of
motion.
- Arm
pads should extend to just above the elbow to ensure full protection.
- Back
pad should meet the top of the pants.
- For
female players, a combination of shoulder and chest protector gives
added protection to the chest area.
- When
lifting arms, pads should not dig into the neck of the player as this
may cause injury.
- Check
pads and straps regularly for damage.
Sports
Bra
- Every
female player should wear a properly fitted sports bra to ensure appropriate
support.
Elbow
Pads
- When
fitting, place the point of the elbow in the circular area on the inside
of the elbow pad and fasten all straps properly.
- The
top of the elbow pad should meet the bottom of the shoulder pad.
- The
bottom of the pad should extend down the forearm and fit inside the
cuff of the glove.
- Check
straps regularly and have any defective pad or strap properly repaired
or replaced immediately.
Gloves
- Should
fit the players’ hands snugly but not too tight.
- Glove
should overlap the elbow pad through the entire range of motion.
- Padding
on the back of the glove should absorb all shock.
- Check
this by pressing on the back of the glove. The player should not feel
any pressure on the backside of the hand.
- Be
sure that the palms of the gloves are always soft and without rips or
tears.
- Always
leave laces (if present) in the cuff.
- Check
gloves for damage frequently and repair or replace immediately.
Throat
Protector (although not manditory in the TNHC league,
we highly recommend their use)
- All
players must wear a throat protector featuring a BNQ* certification
label on it.
- Should
fit snugly and should completely cover throat area.
- Hang
to dry after every use.
Helmet
- Should
be snug and remain in place when chinstrap is properly fastened.
- Helmet
should fit just above the eyebrows.
- Helmet
MUST be CSA* approved.
- Never
paint or add stickers as this weakens the structure and removes CSA*
certification.
- Replace
loose or missing screws immediately.
- Check
inside and outside of helmet for cracks or deterioration and replace
if necessary.
Face Shield
(FACE SHIELDS ARE MANDATORY IN ALL TNHC LEAGUES)
- When
fitting, a proper measurement should be taken from the front of the
helmet to the bottom of the player’s chin.
- Chin
should fit comfortably into cup of facemask.
- Face sheilds
come in both cage and polycarbonate visor styles and also in different
types.
- Type
I – for players 10 years or older (excluding goaltenders),
denoted by a white CSA sticker.
- Type
II – for players 10 years and under (excluding goaltenders),
denoted by an orange CSA sticker.
- Type
III – for goaltenders of any age, denoted by a blue CSA sticker.
- Type
IV – for players at the Major Junior level and up, denoted
by a yellow CSA sticker.
- An
internal mouth guard may be attached to the face shield to protect the
player’s teeth and to help reduce the risk of concussion. It is
recommended that a dental practitioner fit the mouth guard.
- All
breaks or cracks should be replaced.
- Check
that the face shield is compatible with helmet.
- Be
sure to clean visor after every use.
- Never
cut or alter face sheild.
Stick
- In
street shoes, the stick should reach between the chin and the mouth
of the player and just below the chin when on skates.
- Junior
sticks should be used for younger players as these sticks have features,
which are more suitable for this age group.
- When
purchasing a goalie stick, the blade of the stick should be flat on
the ice when the goalie is in a crouch position.
- Be
aware of players’ personal preference when purchasing a hockey
stick.
Goaltender
Equipment
- Goal
pads should always be fitted with goaltender skates on.
- Kneecap
should be in the middle of the knee roll.
- When
completely fastened, the pads should extend from the toe of the skate
to four inches above the knee.
- Extra
kneepads may be worn under the goal pads for added protection.
- Always
dry and store pads in an upright position.
- Check
straps regularly.
- Pants
should fit the same as regular pants but should be loose enough to fit
belly pad inside.
- Pants
should be expected to be heavier than usual because of their extra padding.
- Belly
pad should tuck in about two inches below the belly button.
- Upper
body protection should cover collarbone, chest, abdomen, and should
extend down arms to the wrist.
- Goaltenders
should wear special athletic support.
- Blocker
and trapper should fit to the hand size of the player and should overlap
arm pads.
- Never
warp the blocker as this reduces its structural integrity.
*CSA
– Canadian Standards Association
*BNQ – Bureau de normalisation du Quebec.
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