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