Eastern Commonwealth Girl's Hockey: Equipment

Equipment

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The following list describes the equipment necessary for each girl to play. You can plan on spending between $250 and $500 depending on the quality and sizes of the equipment you purchase. Following the equipment list is a listing of local sporting goods stores where equipment can be purchased. We have tried to recommend stores that we feel have expertise and will be particularly helpful to you. In the mean time if you have any questions concerning equipment please contact any of us.

Skate Sharpening

A general rule of thumb for the kids is get the skates sharpened after approximately 6 - 8 hours of ice time, which means every 2 - 3 weeks. Depending on the steel used in the blade, some blades will hold an edge longer than others, and you might get 10 hours or so. The more expensive stainless blades seem to hold the edge longer than less expensive carbon steel blades. Usually, if it's a stainless blade, it will be stamped on the blade. Lighter and smaller skaters may not need to have their skates sharpened as often. If you inspect the blades when they are first sharpened and every week thereafter, you'll learn how to tell the difference between newly sharpened and duller blades.

Skate blades should be inspected after every practice and game as they are being dried off. Throw an old washcloth or towel in your daughter's hockey bag for this purpose. Check the blade edge for nicks and gouges. A large nick or gouge at the back end of the blade can result in the skater falling as she tries to corner. If you find substantial nicks, get the skates sharpened. Every so often, wipe the blade with some light machine oil or spray with WD-40 to prevent rust. Even stainless will rust, but not as quickly as carbon steel.

Equipment List

Each girl will need to be fully equipped to participate in the program. The following AHAUS (Amateur Hockey Association of the US) equipment is required:

AHAUS approved and certified helmet with a face shield and mouth guard. No bicycle helmets please. This item must be purchased new and must be certified. We cannot allow any player on the ice without a certified helmet and shield.
Snug fitting hockey skates. Skates should be bought for current foot sizes. Generally skates are 1 to 1-1/2 sizes smaller than your shoe size. Do not buy skates for your daughter to grow into, they must fit snugly. Skates can be purchased used, and often this is the best way to purchase them as you can buy a higher quality skate with little wear for a good price. Skates are the most important piece of equipment to be purchased.
Shin pads, unlike soccer pads, these cover the knee as well as the shin.
Hockey gloves, not ski mittens, gloves are worn for protection not for warmth.
Elbow pads, Rigid padding for elbow protection not unlike what is worn in rollerblading, although generally larger covering more of the arms and not as hard a plastic.
Shoulder pads that provide clavicle and breast plate protection
Pelvic protector
Hockey pants with thigh, coccyx, and kidney protection
Hockey socks that go from the skates to the hip and are held in place with a garter belt.
Mouth guard attached to the helmet
Hockey stick, right or left handed, cut to a length so that the butt end of the stick comes from the ice to between the mouth and nose with skates on and the tip of the blade on the ice. All sporting goods stores can help with stick selections and sizes. We will review all sticks the first day on the ice, so if you are unsure wait till then to cut your stick. Better an inch long than an inch short. Sticks all need to have wooden blades, no street hockey sticks or other plastic bladed sticks, please. Sticks cannot be broken or excessively worn in any way.
Hockey bag to carry all of this stuff!!

Local Sporting Goods Stores

Each of the following establishments has some specialty with hockey equipment and has staff that has been particularly helpful in providing information about the equipment they sell. They will also spend the time with you making sure that it fits properly. Ask them about any used equipment they may have.

Breakaway Hockey - www.breakawayhockey.com
909 Great Plain Ave. Needham MA 781-444-5356
511 East Central St. Franklin MA 508-541-6100
Modells - Needham St. Newton MA
Play It Again Sports - playitagainsportsdedham.com
630 Washington Street Dedham MA 781-493-6796
Sports Etc. - 303 Mass Ave. Arlington MA 781-646-1600
Holovak & Coughlin - 14 Mill St. Arlington MA 781-648-7000
Zwicker's - 379 North Rd. Bedford MA 781-275-0900