Helpful hints for equipment:
One Goal Equipment Program:
Equipment Director
Phone: 2318784853
Skates — Purchase skates that will fit your child today, with no more than 1/2" allowed for growth. Seek adequate protection in the ankle, toe and instep areas. Improperly fitted skates will hamper your child's ability to skate. Brand new skates have to be sharpened before use.
Shin Pads — Check for proper length so they protect the knee and shin completely.
Pants — Pants provide protection for the lower spine, hips and thighs.
Helmet — Must be of a design and construction approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). Must be sized at the time of purchase to fit properly. The chin strap must always be fastened. All helmets are adjustable for a proper fit.
Facemask — Must also be of a design and construction approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC).
Mouthpiece — Required for ALL players. USA Hockey encourages players of all ages and ability levels to use a mouthpiece.
Neck Guard — Required for all players.
Gloves — Check for proper fit, with good finger and hand mobility.
Elbow Pads — Properly fitted so they do not slide.
Shoulder Pads — Adjust to fit the individual at the time of purchase. A fiber cap is extremely important in preventing shoulder separations and should extend to the tip of the shoulder.
Supporter and Cup — Essential protective equipment.
Stick — Length should generally extend from the ice to the player's chin (with skates on), or from the floor to the player's nose (with shoes on). Quality and price differ greatly, so the choice is yours. Most players have two sticks in case one breaks during a game or practice.
Practice Jersey — player is to supply their own practice jersey unless CAHA requires specific jersey for practice.
Game Jersey — provided by CAHA
Game Socks — can be purchased through the pro shop.
In many areas the equipment overlaps to reduce exposed skin and bones such as: tongue of skate and shin guard, shin guard and pants, glove and elbow pad, elbow pad and shoulder pad. Some shoulder pads extend down as low as the pants.
For goaltenders special equipment is necessary such as: gloves (catching and blocker), goalie stick, chest and arm protector, leg pads, and, as players get older and stronger, special goalie helmets, goalie cup and goalie skates (with a protective shell). The goaltender's equipment is especially important, so seek advice from a knowledgeable source.
SKATES- skating is the most important and difficult skill of hockey, if you can afford a new pair of good quality skates it will make a whole world of difference in your child’s development. If you can’t, purchase the best possible used skates that fit and have good ankle support.
LACING- the criss-cross method is considered the most comfortable
BLADES- the skate blades must be sharp, but not razor sharp, in order for you to stop and start without falling.
SHARPENING- you should not need your skates sharpened every game, but 2 to 4 times a season is average unless you are playing in a “AAA” league that practices and plays 4 to 6 times a week, or get a nick or burr on the blade.
HOCKEY STICKS- after skates, the stick is the most important piece of equipment used for scoring and preventing goals.
UNDERWEAR- light cotton, or a breathable material, long john type, top and bottom underwear should be worn under your equipment.
HOCKEY BAG- a hockey bag large enough to carry all your equipment is suggested.
Hopefully these basic tips will help our new players and parents have an enjoyable, safe and rewarding hockey experience.