Required Equipment
The following CSA-approved equipment is to be properly worn by all players:
All Players
- Helmet with face mask and chin strap
- Neck/throat protector (BNQ-approved)
- Hockey skates
- Athletic support (jock/jill)
- Hockey pants
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Shin pads
- Hockey gloves
- Practice jersey(s) (U9 to U21; recommended light and dark)
- Mouth Guard (recommended - not required) - no red
KDMHA Provides All Players: Game (Home and Away) jerseys and socks. Jerseys are returned at the end of the year, socks are players to keep. For U7 (IP), practice jerseys are not required, Timbit jerseys (returned at end of year) and socks are provided.
Goaltenders
In addition to all other equipment, goalies are also required to wear:
- Chest protector
- Additional arm pads
- Goalie neck/throat protector (BNQ-approved)
- Throat guard ("dangler") attached to the face mask
KDMHA lends goalie equipment (if needed) to goalies up to U13 (Peewee) level. To make arrangements, contact
equipment@kemptvillehockey.com.
Resources:
Equipment Tips / Fitting Guide
Hockey 101: An Introduction to Canada's Game
Hockey Gear Guide: A Checklist for Parents
The uninitiated parent will soon discover that buying hockey gear for kids isn't as simple as it might appear—there's a lot your child is going to need. Guides that help you determine the right hockey gear for your child can be of great service to the new-to-hockey parent. Here's a brief checklist of essential youth hockey equipment for your new player.
STICK
First, your child will need a hockey stick. Sticks come in a variety of materials, flexes, lengths, and for right- or left-handed players. They're also available at different price points, with the higher priced sticks generally including more carbon fiber for lighter, stiffer performance.
Buying a used stick can be smart as long as it's the right length hockey stick for your child. Typically, a stick should reach your child's chin when they're wearing skates. In terms of right- or left-handed, the dominant hand most often goes on top. If your child is right-handed, they'll shoot from the left side and vice versa. That said, some youngsters will choose what feels natural, even if it means the dominant hand is on the bottom.
SKATES
Youth skates come in a variety of fits and at wide-ranging price points—the more expensive skates offer an elite youth skater most of the features found in the skates their NHL heroes wear. But if your child is just starting to skate or is new to the sport, you can procure a pair of reliable and solid hockey skates at a reasonable cost. That said, you get what you pay for. The premium skates offer premium protection and comfort—whether your eight-year-old needs it is for you to decide.
As with the rest of the gear, correct fit is essential. Your child should wear the same socks to the skate fitting as they'll wear on the ice, and lace and tie the skates as if they're about to hit the ice. What may feel initially uncomfortable and stiff should soften up with wear, though hockey skates are designed to be stiff. Much of the internal padding on new skates will mold to your child's natural foot and ankle contours for a comfortable fit and feel.
Note that goalie skates are not the same as player skates.
HELMET WITH FULL CAGE
Whether your kid plans to play organized hockey or just get out on the pond with their friends, a helmet is a must-have, and it's worth paying up for a good one; our hockey helmet guide offers a lot of useful tips. Most kid-level leagues require a full cage, and some helmets are sold as a helmet/cage combination.
The helmet should include a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certification label, which assures it is certified and safe to wear in Canada.
SHOULDER PADS
Hockey shoulder pads should protect your child's shoulders, chest, back, and biceps from impacts from falling, sticks, pucks, the boards, and other players. Some shoulder pads extend to cover the stomach and lower back. They're especially important once your child plays at a level that allows checking, though it's smart to have a kid wear them any time they're playing with other kids. Smaller pads allow for more mobility, and bigger pads make movement more challenging, but offer greater protection.
GLOVES
Hockey gloves will keep your little skater's hands comfy and warm, but they're really made to protect them from slashes and stray pucks. They're available with a wide variety of protection and comfort options and at a multitude of price points, though new youth hockey gloves are quite affordable. Mostly made from synthetic leather and nylons, they tend to wear on the palm and insides of the thumb and index finger. Be advised: they're eventually going to smell. Bad. Some come with bacteria-reducing agents in the liner, which can help keep the 'rink stink' at bay.
ELBOW PADS
Your child's elbow pads pick up where the shoulder pads leave off, protecting the lower tricep to the upper forearm. They are sport specific, so pads designed for skateboarding or other sports are not appropriate for ice hockey. For hockey, they are usually made especially for the left or right arm. Hockey elbow pads are specifically designed to guard against impacts from falls, hooks, slashes, and the boards.
PANTS
We know—they're not really pants if they don't go below the knee, but pants they are. Hockey pants typically protect the groin, thigh, and hip areas. It'll be important for your child to wear a pair that is not so big they sag, but not so small they leave a significantly exposed area below the cuff and above the shin guard.
NECK GUARD
The neck guard greatly reduces the chances of your child's throat being cut by a skate blade or the odd stick blade. The chances of this injury occurring are already astronomically low, but most organized leagues require a neck guard; they're worth the cost, for sure—and they're one of the less expensive items on our list. Hockey neck guards come in youth, intermediate, and adult sizes.
MOUTH GUARD (optional, but recommended)
A mouth guard is an inexpensive piece of kid hockey gear that can save you big dollars later on. They're available in a wide range of prices, the most popular type being the boil-and-bite models you can purchase at sports retailers. You can also spend more for a custom guard your child's dentist makes.
UNDERWEAR: JOCK/JILL AND PROTECTIVE CUP
Another important piece of equipment, the jock (for him) or jill (for her), is available in old-style garter models or as newfangled compression shorts or pants. Some include the protective cup and some do not. When your child understands how important this protection is, they will be happy to wear it.
SHIN GUARDS
Shin guards should be sized to fit from above the top of your child's skate to above the knee—they include knee protection. Made of hard plastics, foams, and a lining, they are an important part of the total package. Shin guards often come especially made for the right or left leg, so pay attention to details. You can also purchase a shin guard-and-pant combination that eliminates the guesswork.
SOCKS
Youth hockey socks are supersized 'sleeves' made to fit over the shin guards. They're long and attach to the jock or jill via garters, or with velcro for the compression shorts. Some players keep them up by wrapping them with hockey tape.
HOCKEY BAG
You'll need something to carry all that gear. Rather, your kid will. Hockey bags come with or without wheels, with and without compartments, in various sizes and shapes—you get the picture. You can go for the duffle bag, the backpack, or the zip-up, rectangular, wheeled, luggage-style bag. It's important for your kid to lug their own gear—it's part of the commitment to the sport. But find one they can manage without too much difficulty.
BUYING USED OR NEW YOUTH HOCKEY EQUIPMENT
When you buy new hockey gear for your child, you're getting equipment in peak condition that will last a few seasons. And if you have multiple young hockey players, you'll be able to pass along your investment. The main challenge you'll encounter in used equipment is finding gear that fits how it should. You don't want to sacrifice comfort, protection, or fit for the sake of a few dollars—the main drawback of purchasing used gear. This is particularly true of the all-important hockey helmet.
Whatever the scenario, your young hockey player is going to need hockey equipment. Do your research. And don't forget to talk to your fellow hockey parents—the seasoned hockey mom or dad is an excellent resource for practical advice.
(source: https://www.purehockey.com/c/youth-hockey-gear-guide-a-checklist-for-parents)
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