Hockey Equipment

Buying The Right Hockey Equipment

There's certainly skill involved in hockey but the right hockey equipment can make the difference between wining and loosing the game. Hockey nets, pucks, and sticks can all make a difference to the final outcome.

Hockey net sizes are regulated by the NHL Association, so there is not a lot of personal choice here. They also regulate the material, the fastenings, and the breakaway tactics.

A regulation net is made of metal is four feet tall and six feet wide, and approximately three and a half feet deep. Most nets are secured to the rink with magnetic posts which have a break away feature. So if a player runs into the post the net will move and reduce the risk of injury to the player. Of course a goal scored on a net that has moved does not count.

There are also other nets available for practice, outdoor street playing and even practicing goal shots in your basement.

The regulation puck is made of vulcanized hard rubber and is disk shaped measuring 3 inches or 76.2 mm in diameter, and weighing between 5.5 oz and 6 oz, or 156 to 170 grams. A few hours before the game starts the puck is frozen to reduce the occurrence of bouncing.

There are plenty of puck manufacturers. Who you choose is a personal preference and makes no difference as long as they are regulation size.

Amazingly pucks have been clocked reaching speeds in excess of a 100 mph or 160 km/h. Players where protective gear to keep them safe from these dangerous missiles but occasionally a serious injury does occur.

There are also practice pucks available which are regulation size but lighter weight and usually made out of plastic. This reduces the risk of injury. There are also pucks available for street hockey that can reduce the risk of damaging surrounding property.

The hockey stick is thought of as an extension of the arm so the stick needs to fit properly, have the right curve, and match body size and body type. It also must meet the regulations for hockey sticks. Regulation sticks cannot be over 63".

The shaft choice is a personal choice. Wood shafts are traditional with the benefit of easily being cut or sanded to fit more comfortably. The disadvantage is that wood sticks break easily and they are heavier and stiffer than some of the newer materials.

Modern hockey stick shafts are available in a wide range of materials, giving the player plenty of choice when it comes to a stick.

Fiberglass sticks have a wooden core which is then wrapped with a fiberglass exterior coating. They are the least expensive but the wooden core does make them still quite heavy and they are not as strong as some of the other composite materials.

Aluminum is another shaft choice and they are very inexpensive. They are much stronger than wood but not as strong as Kevlar or titanium. They are still heavy but they are much lighter than fiberglass and wood and they use replaceable blades.

Graphite is a popular choice and can be used in many ways in the construction of a stick. It can be used to coat a wooden core or it can be mixed with Kevlar to form the shaft. Graphite does cost more than fiberglass and aluminum but they are lightweight and strong and the blades can easily be replaced.

Kevlar is often mixed with graphite to form the shaft but it can be used on it's own. Kevlar is one of the most expensive materials but is also the strongest and the lightest and the blades can be replaced.

Titanium is usually used by itself and they are priced around the same as a Kevlar strip. Titanium like Kevlar is light weight and strong and the blades can easily be replaced.

It is important to have the right size stick because too large of stick or too small will make it difficult for you to maneuver. Junior sticks are usually between 46 and 54 inches, while a senior stick is usually between 56 and 62 inches.

For regulated hockey you'll need to choose regulation hockey equipment. For home play you can choose optional equipment. Whichever hockey equipment you buy always remember safety first!