| Ice hockey is a sport that is favored in
| |
| | There is also a blade used at the bottom
|
| colder climates during winter and has
| |
| | of the skates. This blade helps to make
|
| fans all over the world. It is believed
| |
| | moving on the ice easy. Ice hockey skates
|
| that hockey is tied to prehistoric times,
| |
| | are much the same style as figure skates,
|
| although the word hockey has only been
| |
| | although ice hockey skates have a rounded
|
| used since the 16th century to describe
| |
| | blade on them to help avoid injury to
|
| the game. In 1893, the first of the
| |
| | other players.
|
| matches were held at both Yale University
| |
| | Ice Hockey Sticks
|
| and John Hopkins University and in 1903.
| |
| | Ice hockey sticks are one of the main
|
| The first professional team formed was
| |
| | tools used in the game and are generally
|
| called the Portage Lakers in Michigan.
| |
| | made of wood. The hockey stick is around
|
| Since those times, indoor Ice hockey has
| |
| | 200cm long and has a flat extension at
|
| become a popular sport. With the hard
| |
| | the bottom of the stick known as the
|
| surface of the ice, pucks flying at over
| |
| | blade. Blades and sticks can vary in size
|
| 100 miles per hour at times and the rough
| |
| | depending on the player who is using
|
| way that the game is played by teams
| |
| | them. Many professional players have
|
| opposing each other, Ice Hockey can be
| |
| | their sticks customized to suit them.
|
| very hazardous for the people playing it.
| |
| | The blade is curved in the same direction
|
| Safety Gear
| |
| | the ice skater moves, the stick has been
|
| Safety gear has been introduced to the
| |
| | designed that way to assist in lifting
|
| game to keep players from sustaining
| |
| | and keeping the puck off of the playing
|
| serious injury. Some of the main safety
| |
| | surface.
|
| gear that is used by professional and
| |
| | Ice Hockey Helmets
|
| amateur players alike is:
| |
| | The ice hockey helmets need to be
|
| · Helmets,
| |
| | measured by the size or circumference of
|
| · Shoulder pads,
| |
| | the player's head just above the eyebrows
|
| · Elbow pads,
| |
| | to ensure a proper fit. An ideal ice
|
| · Mouth guards,
| |
| | hockey helmet will fit comfortably and
|
| · Gloves,
| |
| | not shift around the head. There should
|
| · Padded shorts,
| |
| | never be rotation or looseness in a
|
| · Breezers,
| |
| | helmet as this may cover the player's
|
| · Shin guards,
| |
| | field of vision.
|
| · And, often, neck guards.
| |
| | The inside of a helmet is made of a
|
| Goaltenders also need specialized
| |
| | material called Vinyl nitrate. Vinyl
|
| equipment such as masks and extra padded
| |
| | nitrate is especially useful for
|
| equipment to keep them safe from flying
| |
| | absorbing force or impact from direct
|
| pucks while defending the goals. All of
| |
| | hits to the head from pucks, hockey
|
| this safety equipment is a must when
| |
| | sticks or direct contact with the ice.
|
| playing the game and most of it is
| |
| | Helmets are often fitted with visors.
|
| considered mandatory.
| |
| | This is mainly to protect a player's
|
| Ice Hockey Skates
| |
| | eyes. With younger players and in some
|
| Another bit of equipment that is used for
| |
| | leagues, it is mandatory to use a visor
|
| playing ice hockey are ice hockey skates.
| |
| | while playing. Other mandatory equipment
|
| These are made from a base of leather or
| |
| | includes special masks, especially for
|
| nylon boots. Professionals prefer not to
| |
| | young players or those who play ice
|
| use nylon as they are said to make it
| |
| | hockey at a university. These players are
|
| harder to manoeuver in them. The thick
| |
| | required to use a mask made from metal or
|
| leather or nylon in the boots helps
| |
| | thick plastic attached to their helmets
|
| players to protect themselves from being
| |
| | to protect their face from injury.
|
| hit in the shins and ankles.
| |
| |
|
