First of all, you need to get the right equipment. We started with the youth hockey starter kit from Canadian Tire, and then we added the other gear we needed. (It is definitely the cheapest way to get started).
Basically, you'll need: skates (which are usually 1 size smaller than the child's shoe size), a stick (with a curve that fits the way they shoot), an approved helmet with a face mask, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey pants, an equipment bag, jock/jill protective shorts, a neck guard, hockey socks, a jersey, hockey tape, and a water bottle.
Then, once you have all the gear, you'll need to know how to put it on. Here's an easy step by step tutorial:
1) Start with the clothes that you want to wear under the child's gear. My boys always wear long underwear (or PJs for early morning practices).
2) Pull on the jock/jill shorts (which have velcro on them to hold up the hockey socks).
3) Put on the shin pads (which are marked left/right).
4) Put the hockey socks on over the shin pads, and secure the tops with the velcro on the shorts.
5) Pull the hockey pants on over the shin pads and hockey socks.
6) Put the shoulder pads over the child's head, and secure with the velcro.
7) Secure the elbow pads (which are marked left/right) with the velcro.
8) Put the jersey on over the shoulder pads and elbow pads.
9) Don't forget the neck guard.
10) Buckle the helmet so that it is secure.
11) Pop on the gloves and skates, and hit the ice!
That's it. If you have a little one playing sports this winter or fall, have fun, and stay warm!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Disclosure: I am taking part in the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Pedal For Kids blog campaign. While I have received compensation as part of my affiliation with this program, the opinions shared are my own.
Thanks for the info. We are just starting the hockey journey and need all the help we can get!!
ReplyDeleteIt can be a little overwhelming at first, but it is a lot of fun. Enjoy!
DeleteCongrats on being a great hockey mom and for putting out some very helpful information to all the new hockey mom's out there. While I don't have kids of my own, I do play hockey myself and though I would add just one tidbit if I may:
ReplyDeleteI usually recommend putting on elbow pads before the shoulder pads. This is because if the arm protection of the shoulder pad is long enough it may possibly overlap the elbow pad. If this is the case, it is better to have the elbow pads secured snugly, while the arm protection of the shoulder pad can be a little looser to fit around the edge of the elbow pad. Otherwise you run the risk of the elbow pad slipping and possibly causing an injury if your child falls.
Excellent article though, and great job by your son on modelling for the process. so cute!
Great tip! We alway slip the elbow pads under the shoulder pads, but it makes sense to put them on first. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. :-)
DeleteI just fell in love with you. Even though I'm from Minnesota I know NOTHING about hockey and now that my little guy wants to play it's been a struggle to try to figure out what I need to get and of course how to put it on him. THANK YOU
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm so glad it was helpful. Enjoy being a hockey mom. :-)
Deletehi if iam goalie in ice hockey what gear would i need and how long would it take me to put the gear on
Deletehi if iam a player in ice hockey if i get into a fight would i get kicked out of the game please respond.
DeleteGreat step by step! Don't forget the skates!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely need the skates! :-)
DeleteGreat stuff very detailed. Also please air out equipment after each game!!! Lol
ReplyDeleteGreat info. When my son started hockey, we had no idea what, if anything, he should be wearing under his gear, and had to guess at the order of putting on the gear!
ReplyDelete