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