So you want to be a goalie? Have you always wondered what it would be like to wear the coolest gear in hockey? Or maybe you are the parent of an enthusiastic young hockey player who has taken a liking to stopping pucks. In thisblog post we will cover all the basics of hockey goalie equipment and considerations that should be taken when purchasing your first set of goalie gear. As always, check out our full selection ofhockey goalie equipment.
Hockey Goalie Equipment List
The world of goalie equipment can be a lot to take in, we get it. We’re here to take you step by step through each piece of equipment, covering both the essentials and the helpful tips on accessories to make the goalie position even more enjoyable and safe.
Goalie Mask/Helmet
Undoubtedly, the goalie mask is the most recognizable piece of equipment for the position. It keeps the goalie safe, yet also provides a canvas of expression like you see on nearly every professional goalie. The mask is designed to protect both the head and much of the neck of the goalie, allowing them to feel confident and safe in facing even the most difficult of shots. Today’s masks have come a long way from the masks of year’s past. The masks you’ll find on the market today are made most commonly of high-end composites (fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid/Kevlar) or polycarbonate, and have a vast range of shapes, sizes, and prices.
Goalie Leg Pads
Goalie leg pads are the first piece of the three piece ‘combo’ of gear. Leg pads are designed to protect the goalie and provide net coverage to aid in stopping pucks. Made out of lightweight foams and synthetic materials, leg pads are limited by regulation to be 11” wide and range in size from Junior through Senior.
Goalie Blocker
The goalie blocker is primarily designed to aid in providing net coverage for stopping pucks and holding the goalie stick. The blocker is worn on the player’s dominant hand and offers protection from nearly every angle. As the second piece of the three piece gear combo, the blocker is constructed of high performance foams, plastics, and other synthetic materials.
Goalie Glove
Surely if you’ve watched any number of hockey highlight reels, you’ve seen at least a few spectacular glove saves. The glove is the final piece of the three piece combo. It is worn opposite the dominant hand and offers protection from the puck, as well as an easy option for the goalie to freeze (or “cover”) the puck to stop game play. Coming in many fit styles and the greatest amount of variation between models and manufacturers, the goalie glove is generally considered to be the most unique preference to each individual goalie.
Goalie Chest Protector
Just as it sounds, the chest protector (or “chest and arm”) is designed to offer superior protection of the upper body for the goalie. Originally constructed of deer hair and leather, today’s offerings are lightweight, protective, and offer greater amounts of net coverage than their ancestors.
Goalie Pants
Goalie pants are designed to be a loose and more protective version of an ice hockey player’s pant to protect the goalie’s hip and upper leg areas. Compared to a standard skater’s pant, the goalie pants will offer more protection on the front, hip and inner thigh sections. Like most other pieces of gear, pants are offered in a variety of sizes ranging from Youth to Senior.
Goalie Stick
While one could argue the goalie’s stick doesn’t provide protection like other pieces of gear, it is equally as critical. Held in the goalie’s dominant blocker hand, the stick allows the goalie better net coverage, greater stability on their skates, and the freedom to block and redirect shots away from the goal. Today’s sticks are most commonly made of composite materials similar to player’s sticks, however some goalies still hold a preference for traditional wood core or foam core construction of their stick.
Goalie Skates
Goalie skates are another highly individual piece of equipment and are specifically designed for the position and provide two main benefits over a typical player’s skate. They offer greater stability from a flatter, lower profile blade and greater protection from a protective ‘cowling’ surrounding the boot. Many manufacturers today have found ways to eliminate the protective cowling to reduce weight, yet still provide enough protection to the goalie’s foot through the use of composite boot materials.
Goalie Bag
So much fun and unique gear and nowhere to store it? Enter the goalie bag. Like the gear it holds, goalie bags are bigger, more protective, and generally more durable than player’s bags and come in both wheeled and non-wheeled varieties. If you’ve ever tried to fit goalie gear in a skater’s bag, chances are you didn't get very far.
Goalie Cups/Jills
Of course you need to protect the most prized possessions of a goalie. Goalie cups/jills offer additional protection of the groin area from a skater’s. A curious fact: many NHL goalies wear 3 cups; a single players cup under a ‘double’ goalie cup. One can never be too safe...
Additional Goalie Accessories
The pieces of equipment above make up about 90% of the goalie equipment uniform, and all these pieces are required to play the game safely. In addition to the pieces listed above, most goalies choose to wear a variety of accessories to both enhance the level of protection or assist in the comfort of their gear.
Knee and thigh guardshelp protect the goalie’s knees when in the butterfly position. Manufacturer’s design knee and thigh guards in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the most common being a standalone knee pad (separate from the leg pad) that protects both the knee from the ice and the lower thigh from pucks.
Neck guardsare designed to provide additional protection to the neck in the area that the mask and chest guard might not cover when actively moving during play. Neck guards can be a rigid clear plastic “dangler” that attaches to the goalie’s mask, or a soft, tight fitting neck guard that wraps tightly around the goalie’s neck. Each goalie has their preference. Danglers tend to be noisy during play when making sudden and abrupt movements, yet the tight-fitting guard often is found to be restrictive and prevents heat from escaping from the goalie’s upper body.
Tips on Buying Hockey Goalie Equipment for Beginners
We’ve all been there, purchasing your first new set of goalie equipment can be a daunting task. Taking it one step at a time and familiarizing yourself with the information provided here will simplify the process and give you the knowledge and understanding to piece together your own set of gear. We’ve put together a list of 5 tips to make this process even easier.
- Tip 1: Don’t get set on a single model or brand of gear. Often goalies will be drawn to the most flashy, familiar, or brand they see used by their favorite NHL goalie. Every model and every brand has its benefits, but the same model may not work for everyone. Find what fits best for you and your playing style.
- Tip 2: Plan your budget. Understandably, a budget is often a major consideration when choosing your gear. Plan your budget to keep you safe. Consider the level you’ll be playing at and how often. Arguably, the goalie mask is considered the most important piece of equipment in keeping you safe, so be sure to opt for the right gear.
- Tip 3: Familiarize yourself with the playing styles. Are you a hybrid goalie or a butterfly goalie? The pad options may differ depending on your style, suiting one better than the other. Most brands make a pad to suit each style.
- Tip 4: Talk to other goalies at the rink. Getting a first-hand review of equipment can make decision making easier. Ask what they do/don’t like about a piece of equipment. The goalie community is very friendly and inviting, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation before and after your games.
- Tip 5: VisitPower Play Sports and speak toexperts that are on-hand to provide the most knowledgeable advice, professional gear fittings, and answer all your questions. Power Play Sportsexperts are experts because they ARE goalies, having the first-hand knowledge to get you on the rink!
- Bonus goalie parent tip: Consider your growing goalie. You buy one set of gear and next thing you know they’ve outgrown it. It’s certainly worth while to anticipate growth in your young goaltender, but avoid buying gear too big. Gear that is far too big will prevent them from learning the fundamentals and will hold them back from their fullest potential.
Hockey Goalie Equipment FAQs
Why is hockey goalie equipment so expensive?
Hockey goalie equipment takes careful design and development to remain protective, yet perform well through the course of the entire game. Each piece of equipment is hand built with the latest in material technology, including lightweight foams, synthetic skin materials, and high-quality buckles and straps.
How much does hockey goalie equipment weigh?
Hockey goalie equipment weight depends on the size and age of the goalie. A full grown adult goalie can expect their entire equipment setup to weigh in between 40-50 lbs (18-23kg). Variance in weight depends on size of the gear, model line, materials, and often the protection level of the equipment.
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