Optimal
Safety: Getting The Right Hockey Gear
Hockey
offers a host of benefits, including teamwork, sportsmanship and improved
physical fitness. But playing the game comes with risk: according to UPMC,
the number of youth hockey injuries has doubled in the last 15 years. As noted
by USA
Hockey Magazine, however, hockey ranks as one of the safest contact
sport for kids to play, with only two out of every 100 players each year sent
to the ER. Basketball, meanwhile, sends four kids to emergency rooms, while
football is responsible for eight injuries per 100 players every year.
Bottom
line: playing hockey comes with risk, but remains one of the safest sports to
play. Why? The right gear. Here's what you need to know about choosing
protective equipment.
Heads
Up
Get
a head injury, and you've got a big problem. Concussion
research indicates that the effects are cumulative, not short-term,
meaning the more hits you take to the head the worse it gets. For kids,
multiple concussions can mean the end of a potential career or great pastime
before they even get started.
Choosing
the right helmet is critical. First up is brand choice — this applies to any
gear, but it's worth mentioning here — while there's nothing wrong with going
off-brand, you'll find better selection with high-end brands like Easton,
Bauer, Reebok or CCM. All utilize solid technology, and preference here really
comes down to fit and feel. Especially when it comes to helmets, however, you
don't want to skimp on features to save a few bucks.
So
how do you choose the right helmet? Start with fit. Try on a few and find one
that can be adjusted to fit snugly without feeling uncomfortable. All helmets can
be adjusted front-to-back, meaning you can lengthen or shorten the fit as
desired. Many also include width controls, which allow you to adjust the helmet
for better fit over the ears. Properly fitted, a helmet should not move around
on your head, even during quick turns or vigorous motion. If you find a style
you like but that doesn't fit, opt for something else.
Shoulders,
Shins and Elbows
Here,
you're looking for a balance of mobility and protection. If you play in a
no-contact league or for kids just starting out, maximum protection may prove
too bulky. When it comes to shoulder pads, elbow pads and shin guards, you need
two things: solid fit and the right features. Solid fit means something that
won't move when you're playing, even when you're going all-out. Comfort is
important here: if the gear hurts, you're wearing it wrong or it's not the
right fit for you.
When
it comes to protection, meanwhile, you have a choice. High mobility players,
such as forwards, often choose lightweight pads and guards to maximize range of
motion. Defensemen may opt for bigger shin pads to block shots or harder
shoulder pads to help them while checking.
Toe
Picks
Another
critical area? Your skates. If you fall down a lot you'll get hurt more often,
and improperly fitted skates are a huge risk. First, consider your needs:
recreational hockey skates are great for starter leagues and kids, but won't
offer the same level of foot protection and padding necessary to endure
high-speed collisions and the occasional puck. Always buy skates that offer
slightly more protection than a player needs — as their skill increases, so
does their risk.
When
it comes to fit, snug is the key. You don't “grow into” hockey skates, because
this extra room means risk of foot movement on contact and therefore injury.
While all the major brands offer a range of skate sizes with similar features,
fit varies significantly even among models from the same company. Err on the
side of caution here. Keep trying on skates until you find the ideal pair: they're
your first line of defense.
Disclaimer!
No
gear is foolproof. High-quality, performance-built equipment offers the best
chance of mitigating injury, but risk is part of the game. Best bet? Choose
equipment that's authentic, backed by solid science and has the right fit.
About the author:
Nate Puskaric is the
Marketing Coordinator for Pro Stock Hockey (prostockhockey.com), an online
resource for pro stock hockey equipment. Nate, an expert in hockey gear and
equipment, has a passion for hockey and the Blackhawks. The company offers
authentic pro stock equipment, including protective gear, stocks and jerseys.
