HOCKEY EQUIPMENT

The Atoms follow USA Hockey equipment requirements and recommendations, (USA Hockey Equipment Requirements),  Two important factors to consider when purchasing and fitting hockey equipment:

1. make certain the player is adequately protected and
2. be sure the fitting allows freedom of movement so the player can properly perform the necessary skills. 

By carefully considering these two factors, your child will be more comfortable and will better enjoy their participation.  Remember equipment must fit properly to provide maximum protection.  The Atoms have provided you with a head-to-toe checklist and fitting guide to assist in equipment selection.

NOTE - Neckguards for all players (inlcuding goalies) are mandatory for NIHL teams for both practice and games beginning in the 2007-2008 playing season.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST 

SKATERS	GOALIES
Gold helmet w/cage or shield	goalie helmet w/mask
mouth guard	mouth guard
neck guard	goalie neck guard
jersey	jersey
shoulder pads	goalie arm & chest pads
elbow pads	glove - catcher
gloves	glove - blocker
stick	goalie stick
Black pants	pants
cup and supporter	cup and supporter
shin pads	goalie leg pads
socks	socks
skates	goalie skates

EQUIPMENT FITTING GUIDE 

Helmets - Beginning with the 2003 - 2004 playing season the Atoms travel program requires Gold helmets as standard. 

What helmet should I buy?

You want protection and comfort - and these come largely from a properly fitting helmet.  Look for helmets with stickers indicating they have been certified by CSA (Canadian Standards Association) or HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council).  

What size helmet should I get?

Your helmet should fit snug at the forehead, top, back and sides of your head.  The helmet should not shift or wobble on your head - this will reduce protection and comfort and also be distracting during play.  The chin strap should be adjusted so that it gently contacts your chin with your mouth closed.

You will need to adjust the helmet so that it is snug without pinching.  Depending on the shape and size of your head, some helmets will just feel better than others.  The helmet should fit flat on the head about 1/2 inch above the eyebrows without tilting forward or back.  If the helmet is loose or not properly fastened, you will not be well-protected. 

To select a size, measure the circumference of your head by wrapping a tape measure around your head about 1 inch above your eyebrows just over your ears to the back of your head.   You may need to convert between inches and centimeters to locate the right size - multiply centimeters by .3937 to get inches or multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.  The sizing (e.g. Small, Medium, Large) for different helmet manufacturers varies, the measurement chart below can be used to help you select the right size.  

Do I need a mouthguard?

Collisions with flying pucks or with other teammates are inevitable on the ice.  However, even though injuries are part of the game, the risk and occurrence of injuries can be drastically reduced by wearing an athletic mouthguard.  Players at PeeWee level and above ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR mouthguards, the Atoms recommend and encourage players at all levels to wear mouthguards since they not only significantly reduce the incidence and severity of injuries to the teeth and mouth, but also act as a shock absorber against more serious injuries like concussions and jaw fractures.  Properly fitted, a good mouthguard offer the following five-way protection: 

• Protect the brain from concussion by absorbing and dissipating the shock of a blow to the lower jaw.
• Protect the temporomandibular (jaw) joint from dislocation and other injury by supporting and cushioning the lower jaw.
• Protect the jaw from fractures by providing a cushion between the upper and lower jaw.
• Protect against broken, chipped, lost or nerve-damaged teeth by absorbing and deflecting the force of a blow.
• Protect oral tissues from laceration by shielding the lips, tongue, cheeks and gums.

Neck Guard

Neckguards are designed to protect the player's neck and throat area from injury.  It should be a snug but comfortable fit for the player.  Measure the player's neck and match the size to the measurement chart below.  You may need to convert between inches and centimeters to locate the right size - multiply centimeters by .3937 to get inches or multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. These are mandatory for NIHL teams for both practice and games beginning in the 2007-2008 playing season.

Shoulder Pads

What size should I get?

Your shoulder pads protect your upper body including upper arm, shoulder, collar bone, back, chest and ribs.  This is accomplished by using a combination of foam and hard plastic.  For proper protection, your shoulders should fit comfortably into both shoulder cups.  Then a variety of straps will allow you to adjust the fit for arms, chest and back.  A player should have good range of motion while wearing shoulder pads.  To test range of motion lift arms above shoulder height to ensure the pads do not dig into the neck.

To select a size, measure the circumference of your chest by wrapping a tape measure around your chest just under your armpits.  You may need to convert between inches and centimeters to locate the right size - multiply centimeters by .3937 to get inches or multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.  The sizing (e.g. Small, Medium, Large) for different shoulder pad manufacturers varies, the measurement chart below can be used to help you select the right size.   

Elbow Pads

What size should I get?

Elbow pads are one of the easiest pieces of equipment to fit.  A good elbow pad will have some form of a suspension system to cup the elbow and prevent a direct impact.  Your elbow pads protect your arm from the bicep extension of your shoulder pads to the cuff of your gloves.  You should leave no part of your arm exposed to protect against slashing.  Your elbow should fit comfortably into the elbow pad cup and the elbow pad should fit securely without twisting or sliding on your arm.  Elbow pads should be sized based on the height of the player, the measurement chart below can be used to help you select the right size.   

Gloves

What size should I get?

Your elbow pads and gloves should provide continuous protection from above the elbow to the tips of your fingers.  Gloves should fit like loose winter gloves over the fingers.  The cuff of the glove should extend to the bottom of your elbow pads leaving no part of your lower arm exposed.  To protect your fingertips, your fingers should not go all the way to the end of the glove.  Always check the glove to see if it provides adequate protection. The back of the glove should be lined with both foam and hard plastic. The glove should also feature a lock thumb system which will protect the thumb from being bent backwards. 

Put on your elbow pads.  Hold your arm and hand outstretched.  Measure the distance between the tips of your fingers and the bottom of your elbow pad.  You may need to convert between inches and centimeters to locate the right size - multiply centimeters by .3937 to get inches or multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.  The sizing (e.g. Small, Medium, Large) for different glove manufacturers varies, the measurement chart below can be used to help you select the right size.  

Sticks

How long should my stick be?

If your stick is too short, you will miss a lot of pucks by swinging over them or, worse, you will skate bent over so that your stick is on the ground.  If your stick is too long, you will have difficulty controlling the puck because the butt-end of your stick will get caught up under your arms and across your body.

To cut your stick to the right length, stand flat with no shoes or skates.  Put the tip of the blade on the ground between your feet and hold the stick in front of your face.  For most players, you will want the stick to reach to the tip of your nose.  With skates on, your stick should reach to your chin.  Some defensemen like a longer stick for additional reach and some forwards like a shorter stick for better stick handing.

What is the lie of a hockey stick and how do you determine if you are using the proper lie?

The lie of the stick is used to describe the angle that the heel of the blade forms with the shaft. The higher the lie number the larger the angle between the blade and shaft.  Forward style skaters usually use a 5, 6 or 7 lie.  Nowadays, stick lies are not labeled on the stick.  Manufacturer's use popular players names for blade lies and patterns.  Most lies are 5.5 to 6.5. The rule of thumb for determining if a player is using the proper lie is to examine the blade of his/her current stick.  If the blade and/or tape is worn evenly from heel to toe then the player has the proper lie.  If the toe of the blade is worn more than the rest of the stick, the player needs to decrease the lie (e.g. switch from a lie 6 to a 5.)   Conversely, if the heel is worn, the player should use a stick with a higher lie.

What is the importance of determining the proper flex when choosing a hockey stick?

Flex is the most important aspect when choosing a shaft.  If the shaft is too flexible or too stiff it will lessen the players shot accuracy, dampen the puck speed on shots and provide less feel for the puck.  The correct flex allows the shooter to "bend" the shaft on wrist shots as well as slap shots.  When choosing a shaft in a store you should be able to bend the shaft with a moderate effort.  Finesse style players generally prefer flexible and light shafts for wrist/snap shots, stick handling and shot accuracy.  Aggressive/ Defensive players generally prefer a heavier, durable and stiff stick for slap shots and stick checking.  Generally, hockey players prefer average stiffness and weight for wrist shots and slap shots.  These are usually wingers and rushing defensemen.

What are the differences between wood, aluminum, and graphite or composite, hockey sticks?

Wood sticks are generally manufactured with a standard square shape with the exception of some higher-end wood sticks which can have a convex contour.  These are generally the heaviest sticks.  They are a good value but have poor consistency and many breakages.  An average cost is $25.  

Aluminum shafts are fairly durable and have consistent flexes.  Aluminum shafts most often are manufactured with a classic concave shape though some aluminum shafts now have a rounded ergonomic shape.  They are higher priced than wood, vibrate more than wood and eventually deform and bend.  An average cost is $45 with blade.

Composite shafts can be found to have all types of shapes, weights and flexes.  A composite shaft should be purchased for the shaft consistency, shot speed and accuracy and its lighter weight.  These are the most expensive and have less durability than aluminum.  The average cost of a high-end composite shaft is $90 with blade.  Lower priced composites shafts are generally targeted at the recreational market, less advanced players or young amateurs.  These shafts cannot withstand hard play.  Remember be careful when choosing the proper shaft, just because a composite stick is more expensive does not mean that it will last longer.

Pants - Beginning with the 2003 - 2004 playing season the Atoms travel program requires black pants as standard equipment.

What size should I get?

Your hockey pants protect your midsection from the bottom of your shoulder pads to the top of your shin pads.  Above the waist, the pants should extend up to the lower rib cage and the bottom of your shoulder pads.  At the knee, the pants should overlap the top of your shin pads by one or two inches to provide coverage even when you bend your knee.

Your pants should fit loosely enough to allow a full range of motion in your waist and hips, but not so loose that they shift out of position.  If the player can comfortably squat and the padding remains in position, then the pants fits properly.  Most pants include a belt or buttons for suspenders so that you can secure the pants firmly at your waist or over your shoulders.  For most players, your waist size can be used to select hockey pants.  You may need to convert between inches and centimeters to locate the right size - multiply centimeters by .3937 to get inches or multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.  The sizing (e.g. Small, Medium, Large) for different pants manufacturers varies, the measurement chart below can be used to help you select the right size.  

Cup and Supporter 

Cups and supporters are worn for protection of a player's groin area.  Sizing is determined by measuring the players waist and selecting the appropriate size to fit around the waist.  A variety of styles are available including separate cup and supporters as well as shorts with support and cup built into them.  Due to the added exposure to flying pucks specialized protective equipment is available for goalies. 

Shin Pads

What size should I get?

The importance of a quality pair of shin pads cannot be overstated. The lower leg is an extremely high contact area which must be shielded against injuries caused by collisions with sticks, pucks and skates.    Your knee should fit comfortably into the kneecap cup of the shin pad.  You should select a shin pad long enough to reach the top of your skate boot without interfering with the skate.  If the shin pad is too short, your ankle could be exposed. If it's too long your skate could push the shin pad out of position causing your knee to be improperly positioned in the kneecap cup.

Most shin pads provide protective foam which wraps around the lower leg to cover the back of the calf.  Many also provide a strap which wraps around the leg to hold the shin pad in position. Although many people remove this strap, instead preferring to anchor the shin pad with tape.  Whichever one you choose remember it must be able to secure the shin pad in its proper place. If at anytime the shin pad becomes cracked or dented the shin pad has lost its protection and should be replaced.

To select a size, bend your leg at a 90 degree angle and measure the length of your shin from the center of your kneecap to the top of your skate boot.  Match the player's shin size to the chart below, typical corresponding height and shin measurements can also be found on the chart.  

What size should I get?                                                           

Usually, skates fit 1 to 1 1/2 sizes smaller than your shoe size.  Put on the socks you plan to skate with, (some players prefer not to wear socks, although this may promote bacteria growth and corrosion of materials), put on the skate and push your toes all the way to the front of the skate.   With a properly fitted skate, you should be able to slide one finger behind your heel.

Next, sit down and kick your heel firmly into the back of the boot.  Tighten the laces firmly through the first 2-3 eyelets so that the skate is snug near the toe.  Lace the next 3-4 eyelets a little looser to give your arch room to flex.  Tighten the laces firmly through the remaining eyelets to give strong support to your ankle.  The eyelets should be 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart; if not, consider a narrower or wider skate.

Walk around on the skates for 10-15 minutes to check comfort and fit.  Your foot should be flat in the boot and not pinched in the toe, arch or heel.  When you take the skates off, any red or sore areas on your feet may indicate an improper fit.  For children, you can get 1/2 size bigger to accommodate growing feet - but, any bigger can cause blisters on feet and a breakdown of the sides of the boot.

How do I break my skates in and what care is needed for them?

Put them on and wear them around the house (with skate guards or blankets, of course) for a few hours.  This will help break them in and cause you less discomfort when you first use them.  And, as an added benefit, this will help strengthen your ankles, which helps improve your skating.  

All skate blades will rust if not properly cared for.  The blades and runners should be wiped completely dry after each use.  Using skate guards or blankets will prevent your blades form receiving nicks or scratches.  Removing your skates from your hockey bag after use allows them to air out.  

How sharp should I keep the blades of my skates?

Blade sharpness is a personal preference for each player, but the following outlines the advantages of sharper blades:  Sharper blades are achieved by a deeper groove in the blade runner that results in sharper edges.  The sharper edges will improve your ability to push off and to increase acceleration.  Sharper edges will also enhance your ability to change direction.  Because of a sharper edge the skater can change from backward and forward skating easier and make lateral side to side movements with more agility.  Many players find that their stopping power is significantly improved by sharper edges.


Are there special goalie skates?                                       

Special skates are worn by goalies to improve their movement around and in the net area.  With these specialized skates goalies are able to enhance their mobility in lateral movements. Since many times a goalie must fall to the ice to make a save these specialized skates allow him greater flexibility in recovering and getting back to his feet.  Material has been added around the bottom of the goalie skates to offer extra protection against pucks and other players sticks.   Sizing and care requirements are the same as regular ice hockey skates.  

Goalie Helmet with Mask