| Ice hockey requires special equipment. The basics | | | | protect eyes, nose and teeth. Professional players |
| being the stick and the puck. | | | | may be excused from wearing mouth guards, but |
| The ice hockey stick is slightly less curved than the | | | | young players and collegiate-level players are obliged |
| routine hockey stick and may be made of wood or a | | | | by law to wear them. Ice hockey players should wear |
| high-tech composite material. The composite stick is | | | | shoulder pads, shin and elbow guards and knee |
| sturdier, but also more expensive. Instead of a ball, | | | | guards. Ice hockey gloves are more thickly padded |
| there is a hard, vulcanized rubber disc called as the | | | | than regular hockey gloves. And jockstraps are |
| puck, which is supposed to be hit with the stick | | | | mandatory. Both men and women must wear padded |
| towards the goal net. Ice hockey players use special | | | | undergarments to protect the upper torso and calves. |
| skates, which have blade grips to facilitate contact | | | | Goalies require much more protection since they must |
| with the ice. The goal net, which is made of steel | | | | physically stop the puck from entering the goal-net. |
| frames and synthetic nylon net, can be dismantled for | | | | They are fortified with chest protectors, back |
| storage. When the hockey stick is swung strong | | | | protectors, neck guards and leg pads, as well as the |
| enough, he puck moves at about 120-160 km/h, | | | | standard equipment. Ice hockey is a very demanding |
| increasing chances of accidental injury. Wearing safety | | | | contact sport and the gear is designed with safety |
| gear is the law. A helmet with a mouth guard is | | | | and comfort in mind. |
| mandatory and must meet safety standards to | | | | |