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