Hockey Equipment Basics
What Your New Hockey Player Actually Needs
Hockey Equipment can look overwhelming at first.
You don't need to become a hockey equipment expert.
You just need to understand the basics well enough to get your player protected, comfortable, and ready to step onto the ice.
What does a Hockey Player Wear?
Helmet
Protects the player's head and face.
Youth players generally wear a helmet with a full cage or shield.
Shoulder Pads
Protect the shoulders, chest and upper body.
They should provide protection without making it difficult for your player to move.
Elbow Pads
Protect the elbows and surrounding arm area.
They should stay securely in place while your player moves.
Gloves
Protect the hands and wrists.
They should allow your player to hold and move the stick.
Breezers/Hockey Pants
Protect the hips, thighs and lower torso.
(Yes - breezers and hockey pants are the same thing!)
Breezers/Hockey Pants
Protect the knees and shins.
Hockey socks are worn over the shin guards.
Skates
One of the most important pieces of equipment.
Good skate fit can affect your player's comfort, stability and confidence.
Hockey stick
Your player will need a stick appropriate for their size and comfortable for them to use.
Being right-handed doesn't automatically mean your player needs a right-handed stick.
Protective Shorts
Players wear protective shorts (jill or jock) with built-in pelvic protection and velcro for holding up the hockey socks.
Neck Guard
The neck guard protects your player's neck from cuts.
It can be a standalone neck guard, or you can purchase a base layer shirt that is worn under your player's shoulder pads and has a built-in neck guard.
Jersey
The jersey goes over the upper body equipment.
Hockey Socks
The socks go over the shin guards and should be secured by velcroing them to the protective shorts or taping them around the thigh with clear hockey tape.
What Matters Most When Choosing Equipment?
Focus on what actually counts.
Safety
Fit
Comfort
Movement
These matter more than brand, price and appearance.
Does Everything Have to be New?
Nope.
Used equipment is extremely common.
Hockey is expensive and kids grow quickly. Buying used doesn't mean your player is less serious.
The important question isn't "Is it new?"
It's "Is it safe, functional, and appropriate for my player?"
Learn more about used vs. new in Rink Ready Moms.
Your Player Doesn't Need "Pro" Equipment
Beginner equipment has one job; help your player safely and comfortably learn hockey.
Equipment they can move in
Skates they can learn in
A stick they can control
Pads that protect them
Comfort so they can focus on hockey, not their gear
Everything else can evolve as your player grows.
The First Time Getting Dressed Will Feel Ridiculous
That's normal.
It may feel slow
You may forget the order
Your player might complain about something feeling weird
You'll probably have to redo something
And eventually.... it becomes second nature
Before You Leave the Hockey Store.....
Does everything feel comfortable
Can my player bend their knees?
Can they comfortably move their arms?
Does the helmet feel secure?
Do the skates feel snug rather than painfully tight?
Do we know whether the skates are ready for the ice?
If you're unsure, ask someone at the hockey store.
You don't get extra hockey-parent points for figuring everything out yourself!
Three Equipment Mistakes
New Hockey Families can Avoid
Assuming more expensive means better
For beginners, fit and comfort usually matters much more than elite-level features.
Guessing instead of asking
The hockey store sees new families every year. ASK QUESTIONS
Blaming the player before checking the equipment
If your player looks uncomfortable, unstable or frustrated.... don't assume it's a skill problem. Sometimes equipment deserves a second look.
Want Someone to Walk You Through the Rest?
MEET RINK READY MOMS
Getting the equipment is one thing. Knowing whether it fits correctly, which stick to choose, how everything goes on, and which details actually matter. That's where things can start feeling overwhelming. Rink Ready Moms was created to take the guessing out of it.
Skates How proper fit affects stability and confidence. Why skate sizing is different, and how sharpening works.
Sticks Handedness, length, flex, hand placement and stick taping - without turning it into a physics lesson
Getting Ready A step-by-step system for putting all that equipment on so getting dressed stops feeling like a puzzle
Spending Smarter How to approach used equipment, where to spend, where to save, and when upgrading is actually worth it.
You don't need to become a hockey expert.
You just need a place to start.
New to hockey? Keep Learning.
Check out these free resources.
We're glad you're here.
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