Ice hockey is an extremely popular sport in the US and Canada and its popularity is increasing in the UK too. There are an increasing number of ice rinks in the UK that are opening their doors to ice hockey teams enabling them to train and practice their skills. This means that more people are able to practice their skills and develop a love for the game that is similar to that that has gripped the US and Canada. The most prominent images we in the UK receive from the game are the fight scenes that regularly occur as part of the game. In these situations the game is put on hold whilst two of the players have a punch up. This has become one of the most enduring images of the game and as a result the game is considered one of the more dangerous games that you can participate in.



The upshot of this is that all players that play the game need to protect themselves as best they can and often the most successful way of doing this is to buy equipment that protects against the rough and tumble. In a game where the puck can reach speeds of 100mph and players can put their whole momentum behind speeding around the ring, equipment that looks after their safety has never been more important.

All ice hockey players wear protective kit. The most important parts of the body are protected by this kit and the most prominent piece of equipment is the helmet. The ice hockey helmet protects the head from serious blows that can occur from a stray hockey stick, flying puck or from a crash into the rink walls or the ice itself. The most important aspect of ice hockey equipment is that it protects the player but it is also designed to have the duel effect of improving performance of the player.

A player will typically wear skates, shoulder pads, gloves, shin pads, elbow pads, mouth guards, neck guard and a chest protector. Aside from protecting the body from impact and damage these items are also designed to be streamline and not to interfere with the ability of the player to perform his duties for the team. The neck guard worn by some players for example allows for a large amount of movement so that the player can move freely around the ice and at the same time feel protected. The goaltender usually wears the more rigid forms of protection as his or her job does not require as much movement as the outfield players.

Goal keepers or goal tenders have a different stick to that of the players that play in the outfield. The main area of difference is that the stick that the goal tender uses has a larger paddle section of the stick which is used to help the goaltender protect the goal more efficiently. The goaltender also wears shorter, stouter skates that are closer to the ice. This flatter style of skate makes it easier for the goaltender to move laterally. This is in order to make it easier for the goaltender to move and prevent the opposing team from scoring.

The goaltender also wears considerably more protection on the front half of the body. This is to be sure that if he or she is struck with the ball they are less likely to be hurt. The goaltender will also have less protection on the back as this area of the body is less likely to be hit by the puck.