Hockey Gear Needed at the Professional Level
HOCK 1488
University of Texas at Dallas
Author:
Murphy Brown
Email: murphybrown1488@gmail.com
Hockey swag is a real thing. If you watch the professionals you will notice that several of them are wearing the best gear that money can buy. This is because when you become a professional hockey player your body is your main source of income. If you do not protect yourself on the ice then you cannot get a check, but most importantly you cannot play the game that you have come to love and respect so much. But every player in hockey classes learns how to have humble beginnings and it starts with them getting the right gear at a young age. In this article we are going to look at the most important pieces of equipment that you need to perform at a high level.
The head is the most important part of your body and the most vulnerable. Back in the day, hockey players used to play without a helmet until the league forced them. Can you imagine flying around on the ice with no helmet? This is they way it used to be but that is no more. Now players have to wear a face mask and a helmet. You will be happy that you have invested in a nice helmet when you get slammed into the ice or boards. The helmet is the most important piece of equipment. If can prevent you from getting concussions or getting slapped in the face with the puck. Losing a tooth in a hockey game might make for a great story but in the long term you are going to want that tooth back. A solid helmet will make sure you keep all of those pearly white intact.
If you do not have a proper pair of skates, then you are not going to be able to play the game of hockey. This is a crucial investment that is going to make your time on the ice much more impact. The better you skates, the easier it will be for you to maneuver around your opponents and make a difference for your team. Expensive does not always mean better, just get a pair of skates that fit your foot perfectly so that you are comfortable while playing. A foot injury might sound insignificant until you have to deal with one.
Arguably the most useful piece of equipment that a hockey player uses, without your stick you are a fish out of water. You need to make sure that the stick is the right size and it has the right shape for your body type. If you are left handed then you do not want to be using a right handed stick, that is going to get you nowhere. Once you find the perfect stick then it is time to tape it up and make sure that you have a strong solid grip. But with all that being said, do not become too attached to your stick. These things break all the time so it is important to have a few backups for when that happens. The more worn in a stick, the better it is for you as a player. So get your reps in and get a good feel for your hockey stick before you slide out on the ice.
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