Equipment 101

A comprehensive guide to the essential ice hockey equipment needed by players.

Each player is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games, warm-ups and practices. Such equipment should include gloves, shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hip pads or padded hockey pants, protective cup, tendon pads plus all head protective equipment as required by USA Hockey rules. It is recommended that all protective equipment be designed specifically for ice hockey.

All protective equipment, except gloves, padded hockey pants, helmet/facemask, and goalkeeper’s leg guards, must be worn under the uniform.

(Note) Players, including goalkeepers, violating this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game until such equipment has been corrected or removed.

Rule 303 | Goalkeeper’s Equipment

USA Hockey Rule 303 | Goalkeeper’s Equipment

USA Hockey Rule 304 | Skater Protective Equipment

* (Note) HECC certification includes an expiration date on the sticker and a helmet that has an expiration date that has expired is no longer considered certified. The player may not wear a helmet that does not have a valid and current certification sticker.

• HECC approved helmet and a HECC approved full facemask *
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• breezers (pants)
• protective cup (boys)
• Shin pads
• Socks for wearing over shin pads. (Sting Supplies 1 pair of socks)
• Gloves
• Skates
• Stick
• Neck laceration protection (neck guard)

Helmets (Required):

Your Mites helmet should fit just above the eyebrows. Their chin should fit comfortably into cup of the face mask. Their head should not have any pressure points from pads. Many helmets are adjustable so you can use a screwdriver and adjust the helmet, while your child is wearing it. All helmets should have a full clear plastic bubble mask or cage.

Mouthpiece:

There are all types. Choose based on size/age of your player. Follow the directions if any molding is needed. Strapped mouth guards are convenient as they attach to the inside of the face mask, so you’ll always have it with you.

Neck Guard (Required):

It is something that is a requirement as your player moves forward. It is best to start now. They are several options but the most common is a soft padding with velcro that protects the area under the helmet and above the shoulder pads both in the back of the neck and under the chin.

Shoulder Pads (Required):

Shoulders should fit directly into shoulder caps without adjustments or straps. When lifting arms, pads should not dig into the neck of the player as this may cause injury. Arm pads should extend to just above the elbow, slightly covering the elbow pad, to ensure full protection. Actually, the cheaper ones are better at the younger ages – pads with little/no molded plastic – so as not to restrict motion.

Elbow Pads (Required):

With elbow in cup of pad, bottom should extend to top of glove cuff. Check that straps do not cut off circulation.

Gloves (Required):

Try a pair out while gripping a stick. Fingers shouldn’t swim, but shouldn’t be snug either. Have your child drop their hands from their shoulders to their sides in a quick motion. The gloves shouldn’t fall off. Sliding down a little bit is okay.

Hockey Pants (Required):

Fit according to waist size; should not be tight. Bottom of leg should extend over shin guard by .5” or 1”, coming to the top of their kneecap when standing straight up. Importantly, hockey pants should have suitable protection on the players tailbone to protect them from the many falls they will have.

Shin Pads (Required):

If possible, put on their skates in order to get the proper length of the shin pad. The cap of the shin pad should be centered on the kneecap. The bottom of the pad should barely overlap the skate tongue. If the pad is too short, it leaves an unprotected area above the skate. If the pad is too long, it will prohibit their leg from flexing forward at the ankle and create discomfort for the player. Leg flexion is critical for proper skating form.

Hockey Sticks (Required):

Have your child pick one up off the ground several times and observe their hands - one will eventually consistently wind up on the bottom (closer to the blade). This is their dominant hand. You want a stick that curves away from this hand. Example: if their right hand is on the bottom, they are considered right-handed. When the blade is on the ground, it should curve toward their left side. Cut down the end of stick to the bottom of their nose in street shoes or at chin height when on tiptoes (to simulate skates). The front of the blade (the toe) should be on the ground and the stick vertical when you take this measurement. See coach or You Tube on how to tape up stick blade. Stick handles are encouraged to be wide on the end (bumper) to make it easier for little hockey players to pick their sticks up off the ice. Your players stick does not have to be expensive at this level. Even used youth sticks cut down to size are adequate to teach them stick handling and balance.

Jock Shorts (Boys) (Required) or Jills (Girls) (Optional):

Jock shorts are great – well worth it in terms of time savings. They are more comfortable and have Velcro garters which hold up the hockey socks. Sizing is according to waist size. Jocks have a plastic cup for boys and Jills have a plastic plate for girls.

Skates (Required):

This is the most important piece of equipment they have. With their foot all the way in and skates not tied, have your child kick their toe into the carpet (this slides their foot all the way forward inside the skate). You should not be able to fit more than 1 finger between their heal and the back of the boot. Again, if they are too big they won’t have enough ankle support to skate properly. Skates should be sharpened about every 10-15 hours of use. Usually run about 1 size smaller than their tennis shoe size. Tying should be tight at the toes, a little looser on the arch and looser still around the ankles. This will provide support but still allow the leg to flex forward into proper position.

Jerseys (Required):

ADM U8 Mite Players: NCMYH provides each skater with a game jersey, which is returned at the conclusion of the season. It is recommended for each skater to have their own jersey.

U8 Travel Mite Players: Skaters are required to either purchase or reuse their black (home) jersey. NCMYH provides each skater with a yellow pinny for (away) team designations.

Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam Players: Skaters are required to either purchase or reuse their black (home) and yellow (away) jerseys.

Midget Players: Skaters are required to purchase or reuse their Yellow (home) jersey.

Socks: Black socks will be provided before the start of the season. The cost of socks is covered by Player tuition.

Sting will supply each player with a practice yellow jersey.