Things You Can Wear on the Ice to Avoid Injury
Ice hockey is one of the most fast-paced and physically demanding sports out there. Players are constantly skating at high speeds, making rapid turns, engaging in body checks, and using sticks and pucks at intense velocities. With so much action, it’s no surprise that injury risks are high. Fortunately, there are several pieces of essential gear that every ice hockey player should wear to prevent injury and stay safe on the ice.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced player looking to stay injury-free, wearing the proper protective equipment is key to reducing the risk of common injuries such as concussions, sprains, fractures, and muscle strains.
Let’s take a closer look at the essential items every ice hockey player should wear to ensure safety and avoid injury.
1. Helmet: Protecting Your Head
Arguably the most important piece of equipment in ice hockey is the helmet. Concussions are a major concern in hockey, and a proper helmet can help reduce the risk of head injuries. A helmet should be well-fitted and certified to meet safety standards.
Why You Need It:
The helmet protects your head from direct impacts, whether from body checks, pucks, or accidental falls. A helmet with a full face shield or cage offers additional protection for the face and eyes. A cage or shield protects against the risk of facial injuries, which are common when pucks or sticks come into contact with players.
Tips for Choosing the Right Helmet:
- Ensure that your helmet fits snugly and comfortably without causing discomfort.
- Make sure the helmet has a certification from safety standards organizations like the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) or HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council).
- Replace your helmet after several years, as padding and safety features wear out over time.
2. Shoulder Pads: Guarding the Upper Body
Shoulder pads are a crucial piece of equipment for absorbing impacts from body checks, falls, and collisions. Whether you’re checking an opponent into the boards or being checked yourself, shoulder pads provide protection for the chest, shoulders, collarbones, and upper arms.
Why You Need It:
The shoulder area is vulnerable to fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries. Pads help reduce the impact of direct blows while offering comfort during gameplay. A well-fitted shoulder pad will allow you to move freely while providing the necessary protection.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shoulder Pads:
- Choose shoulder pads that fit snugly around the shoulders and chest without restricting your range of motion.
- Look for pads with adjustable straps to ensure they stay in place during the game.
- Padding should cover the clavicle (collarbone) area, as this bone is particularly susceptible to injury.
3. Elbow Pads: Safeguarding Your Arms
Elbow pads are essential for protecting your elbows from high-impact collisions, falls, and contact with the boards. These pads are particularly important because the elbow is a joint that can easily be injured when exposed to rough contact or falls.
Why You Need It:
A fall on the ice or a check into the boards can result in bruises, cuts, or fractures to the elbow. Elbow pads provide cushioning to prevent these injuries and ensure you’re safe when engaging with opponents.
Tips for Choosing the Right Elbow Pads:
- Look for pads that offer both comfort and protection, allowing for flexibility and movement.
- Ensure the pads cover both the front and back of the elbow joint, as well as the forearm.
- Choose elbow pads with good ventilation to keep your arms cool and dry during play.
4. Shin Guards: Protecting Your Lower Legs
Shin guards are essential for safeguarding your lower legs, knees, and shins from pucks, sticks, and collisions. These guards protect the vulnerable shinbone (tibia) from the impact of pucks and sticks and prevent painful bruising and injury.
Why You Need It:
Shin guards protect one of the most exposed parts of the body while skating. The legs are constantly in motion, and a direct blow to the shin from a fast-moving puck or an opponent’s stick can cause serious damage. Shin guards ensure that these blows don’t result in fractures or deep bruising.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shin Guards:
- Look for shin guards that cover the entire shin and extend down to your ankles for added protection.
- Make sure the guards fit snugly without slipping down during play.
- Look for lightweight, breathable materials to ensure comfort and freedom of movement.
5. Gloves: Protecting Your Hands and Wrists
Gloves in ice hockey are essential for protecting your hands, fingers, and wrists from both impacts and cold temperatures. Hockey gloves are padded and designed to give you excellent grip and protection while handling the stick or blocking a puck.
Why You Need It:
The hands and wrists are highly vulnerable in hockey due to their frequent involvement in stick handling and puck deflections. Whether you’re blocking a shot, fighting for possession, or just skating, hockey gloves protect these vulnerable areas from injury.
Tips for Choosing the Right Gloves:
- Choose gloves that fit comfortably but allow for good movement and dexterity.
- Ensure that the gloves have enough padding around the fingers and wrists to prevent fractures or sprains.
- Look for gloves that have good ventilation to prevent excessive sweat buildup.
6. Mouthguard: Protecting Your Teeth
A mouthguard is an often-overlooked but crucial piece of equipment for preventing dental injuries. A mouthguard helps protect your teeth and gums from direct impacts during checks, fights, or pucks to the face.
Why You Need It:
A mouthguard helps cushion blows to the mouth, preventing chipped teeth, broken jaws, and other facial injuries. In addition, a mouthguard can help reduce the risk of concussions by absorbing some of the impact during a hit to the face or head.
Tips for Choosing the Right Mouthguard:
- A custom-fit mouthguard offers the best protection and comfort, though off-the-shelf options can be sufficient for recreational players.
- Choose a mouthguard that is comfortable and doesn’t interfere with breathing or speaking during gameplay.
7. Neck Guard: Reducing the Risk of Neck Injuries
While neck injuries are less common, they can be devastating. A neck guard protects the vulnerable area around the neck and throat, reducing the risk of serious injury from pucks or sticks.
Why You Need It:
Ice hockey is a high-impact sport, and a stick or puck to the neck can lead to serious damage. Neck guards can help prevent cuts, bruising, or even more severe injuries such as strangulation.
Tips for Choosing the Right Neck Guard:
- Ensure that the neck guard fits securely and comfortably under your jersey.
- Look for materials that are both protective and lightweight, providing flexibility for movement.
Conclusion
The right equipment is crucial in protecting yourself from the inherent risks of ice hockey. Whether you’re a recreational player or a competitive athlete, ensuring that you wear the proper gear is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring a long, healthy career on the ice. From helmets to mouthguards and elbow pads to shin guards, each piece of protective gear plays a vital role in keeping you safe and maximizing your performance.
Remember to regularly check your equipment to ensure it’s still in good condition, and don’t hesitate to invest in quality protective gear to give yourself the best chance of staying injury-free. Safety should always come first, and by prioritizing the proper gear, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to enjoy the game to its fullest.
If you’ve recently experienced an injury or want to learn how to better prevent injuries in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out for a Free Discovery Visit with our expert team. We’re here to help you stay safe and pain-free while enjoying the sport you love.
