Ice hockey gear for beginners

                 Ever wonder how much it would cost to go out and buy the hockey gear pro hockey players are wearing? Over $2,200 dollars is what you would have to pay to suit up like a pro hockey player. That’s the average cost of hockey equipment for an adult hockey player. Younger players would be less than half of that. There is a lot of gear to consider, especially when compared to other sports. The majority of the gear is for protection, while some of it’s used to perform a certain hockey skill better e.g. hockey sticks for shooting or passing and skates for skating. If your thinking about playing hockey, there are also other costs you have to consider like ice time. It’s roughly $10 for an hour or so of practice time a day. In most rinks it’s called “stick time” or “stick and puck”. You also have the option of joining a recreational league. A “rec league” can cost you anywhere from $150 - $700 dollars a season. Factor in paying for broken sticks or hockey tape to hold your shin guards in place and you can see that ice hockey is not a cheap sport.

                  Here’s a checklist of the pieces of hockey equipment a beginner will need. Everything listed is a requirement, as most ice arenas won’t even let you near the ice without them. This is not only for your protection but for the ice rinks as well.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST:

Hockey skates: $200 to $800 dollars.

Hockey stick: $30 to $250 dollars.

Shin guards: $30 - $100                                                                    

Ice hockey Jock strap: $10 - $60                                                                                      

Hockey pants:  $30 - $160                                                                                                

Optional neck guard: $9 - $20                                                                                     

Hockey elbow pads: $15 - $80                                                                                   

Hockey gloves: $35 - $150                                                                                               

Hockey helmet:  $30 - $110                                                                               

Mouth guard: $1 - $150 (custom)                                                                                      

Hockey tape: $2 - $5

Shoulder Pads: $30 - $110

Hockey socks: $10 - $25

Garter belt: $6 - $12

Hockey face shield: $20 - $60

Hockey jersey: $10 - $30

Hockey Back: $20 - $100

Stick and Puck: $10 - $15 a day

Recreational hockey league: $150 - $700

                  So, what do I buy first? Your hockey skates are the most important piece of equipment you will purchase. To find the best pair for you, it is important to try on as many different pairs of hockey skates as possible. Some hockey store employees will tell you what skate is the best, but at the end of the day your feet will tell you which pair are the best fit. If the skates are comfortable right out of the box, they’ll be a perfect fit when the hockey shop heats them up in an oven and molds them to your feet.

                  If your hockey skates don’t fit properly, It’ll take you longer to improve. That frustration usually ends with you quitting all together. Also the amount of pain and irreparable damage to your feet will be severe.  Break in times for hockey players vary. Plan on a couple of days to several months.

            If you’ve skated a couple times and decided that you want to play hockey, the next thing you may want to buy is your hockey stick. You don’t have to buy the most expensive stick. Inexpensive composite hockey sticks or even the sticks that are made out of wood and fiberglass are a great way to start when making your first purchase. A lot of hockey stores have "Pro Stock" models at a considerable discount. This option will give you the top of the line brands for cheaper hockey stick prices. It's important to measure cut your stick as if you had your skates on. The length of the stick should be below your chin on skates. Ask the pro shop to cut it for you.

                  In some recreational hockey leagues, a full-face shield is required on all hockey helmets but some allow visors or no face protection at all. I suggest using some form of face protection if you’re just starting out.

                  There are a lot of great deals online but be careful, especially when it comes to the skates you choose. If you decide to buy something online, visit your local hockey shop and try it on first, before you make your final purchase.

                  There is one more thing to remember when you're buying hockey equipment. Make sure everything fits perfectly. If you’re unsure, ask the people at your local hockey shop. If you stick it out and continue playing, you’ll see that the price you paid for your hockey gear, pales in comparison to the satisfaction you’ll get from playing the greatest game on earth. 
For more information, advice and video lessons, please visit bradperryhockey.com