hockey equip help - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MonsieurFish · 08-27-2006, 12:32 PM

can anybody point me out on how to buy or what is a good make of equipment for rec hockey? and just incase im a complete noob and have got this also wrong... what equipment do i need. tis my first year of rec hockey im gonna play this year and i must go buy some equipment soon, so any help would be appreciated to help me buy some decent, yet cheapish ice hockey equipment. thanks

RougeUnderoos · 08-27-2006, 12:36 PM

Just how "rec" is this rec hockey? Is it a league?

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 08-27-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

can anybody point me out on how to buy or what is a good make of equipment for rec hockey? and just incase im a complete noob and have got this also wrong... what equipment do i need. tis my first year of rec hockey im gonna play this year and i must go buy some equipment soon, so any help would be appreciated to help me buy some decent, yet cheapish ice hockey equipment. thanks

Even if it's only rec league, I wouldn't skimp on anything--especially your helmet, shin and elbow pads. Hockey's dangerous: two years ago I broke my leg in a non-check rec league game--and I was actually pretty lucky. That equipment could easily save you from injury--not to mention from pain.

I think shoulder pads are a little less of a big deal in a no-check league. I have a pair of CCM pads that are lightweight and cost me about 30 bucks. I would look online--fogdog, hockeymonkey, Dick's, etc.--but a lot of it you're going to want to try on. Have you been to SportSwap yet? Otherwise, I don't know much about where the cheapest places in Calgary are.

Your other question isn't a noob question at all--it's important. I'd read the rules for your league, but at a minimum I would recommend:
shin guards
hockey pants
hockey socks (unless your team has matching jerseys and socks)
the ol' hockeyjoc--most important equipment you'll ever buy!
elbow pads
Shoulder pads are probably optional, depending how much contact there is in your league. You might feel safer with 'em, though.
Helmet (get a good one--it'll last forever, and you'll thank me when you get your bell rung for the first time.)
Mouthguard (see above: mouthguards are really important for preventing concussions.)
copious hockey tape--stick tape and sock tape.

Oh, and you know--skates and a stick.

MonsieurFish · 08-27-2006, 01:06 PM

alright this rec hockey is a league, called the rec hockey league, and suppose a helmet needs to have a cage, would a mouthguard be necessary? thanks for the help so far

Red Mile Style · 08-27-2006, 02:33 PM

Definately get the mouth guard even if a puck/stick can not make it through. If you get hit or fall you might end up clamping down and breaking some teeth. This happened to me and I played in a non-contact league with a cage on my helmet.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 08-27-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Mile Style

Definately get the mouth guard even if a puck/stick can not make it through. If you get hit or fall you might end up clamping down and breaking some teeth. This happened to me and I played in a non-contact league with a cage on my helmet.

Also, the mouth guard can prevent concussions. If you collide with someone and they hit you "right on the button"--right in the middle of your jaw--then your jaw can become almost like a hammer hitting you in the head from underneath. Teeth can be replaced--brains can't. Wear the mouthguard to protect your brain.

ken0042 · 08-27-2006, 06:21 PM

I agree with the helmet and cage. It took me almost a season to get used to the cage, but last year towards the end I took a high stick that bounced harmlessly off the metal. And after learning about the dangers of the jaw a mouth guard will be on my list this season.

And don't forget the cup.

If you are like me and really don't know how to skate make sure the hockey pants have good tailbone protection. And get gloves with good thumb protection for that same reason too.

The rest of my stuff like shouler, elbow and shin pads are all stuff I got on sale at Walmart.

MonsieurFish · 08-27-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I agree with the helmet and cage. It took me almost a season to get used to the cage, but last year towards the end I took a high stick that bounced harmlessly off the metal. And after learning about the dangers of the jaw a mouth guard will be on my list this season.

And don't forget the cup.

If you are like me and really don't know how to skate make sure the hockey pants have good tailbone protection. And get gloves with good thumb protection for that same reason too.

The rest of my stuff like shouler, elbow and shin pads are all stuff I got on sale at Walmart.

and it all works well? what make?

Dynamic · 08-27-2006, 09:02 PM

Mouthguards are a good idea. I took a slow moving puck to the mouth and it ripped open the inside of my mouth that left me not able to eat for a week trying to not rip the stitches out of my mouth.

ken0042 · 08-27-2006, 10:01 PM

I think all my Walmart stuff is Koho and CCM. As for "works well" it keeps me safe when I make a spectacular shot block............... OK, that only ever happened once. But when once of my buddies pounds me into the boards or I mis judge the blue line and trip over it I'm not concerned about how I land.

My only complaint is the velcro fasteners on my elbow pads. They are a PITA, and just some sort of elastic method would have been better. Velcro works fine for the shin pads and shoulder- chest protector combo.

Buff · 08-27-2006, 10:46 PM

The most important piece of equipment you can get is the mouthgaurd. I play no-contact shinny with a bunch of guys and one time I had an accidental collision with a short feller. My jaw hit on the top of his helmet and all the lines on the ice and boards flashed yellow. I went straight to the bench to make sure I wasn't concussed. Upon feeling comfortable that I wasn't and I rested for 10 to 15 minutes, I got back out and played. About 24 hours later I came upon the realization that I had a concussion. My wife, a physical therapist, informs me that a mouthgaurd would've prevented my concussion.

The only piece of equipment that I don't have is shoulder pads. Most guys I play with don't have them. I do know that one of my friends would've benefited from them though... I was at the side of the net and he was in front standing on the crease (he was on the opposite team). I saw an opening and thought I'd bank the puck off of the goalies leg and into the net... I missed the goalies pads and the puck shot straight up at my friend and hit him right on the nipple. If he had shoulder pads the pain would've been much much less worse.

So you can make a case to wear all the gear, it just depends on what you feel most comfortable wearing or not wearing.

habernac · 08-28-2006, 08:54 AM

I'd still recommend shoulder pads for those high speed wipeouts into the boards that always seem to happen.

Bill Bumface · 08-28-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

I'd still recommend shoulder pads for those high speed wipeouts into the boards that always seem to happen.

I agree, there was just 6 of us out one day who got some ice to practice, so most guys didn't wear shoulder pads. I'm a wuss though, and I did wear mine, and it was a good thing when I got tangled up with another guy and flew back first into the boards. I think they probably saved me a great deal of pain

HitterD · 08-28-2006, 01:43 PM

As for the Mouthgard.... i'd recommend getting a custom-fitting mouth piece. It fits right to your teeth and is much much much more comfortable. I'm sure any dentist/orthodontist will make one for you... mine did.

GrrlGoalie33 · 08-28-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

can anybody point me out on how to buy or what is a good make of equipment for rec hockey? so any help would be appreciated to help me buy some decent, yet cheapish ice hockey equipment. thanks

I think we could all say this brand is better than that brand, but it all comes down to your preference. Try everything on until you find one that fits.

SportCheck has a lot of variety in brands. Personally, I have purchased most of my "out" equipment (i also play goal) at Canadian Tire.

As for fitting, the most important is your helmet, try every one on you have to until you find one that is comfortable to you. Don't look at the price tag when it comes to your helmet.

Frank the Tank · 08-28-2006, 02:06 PM

I've purchased a lot of equipment off of ebay. Just went to the store, tried stuff on and got the model numbers and found it on ebay.

MattyK · 08-28-2006, 03:59 PM

For playing simple, rec hockey, there's only four things you need to worry about buying new: good skates, a good helmet, a new stick, and a good jock.

Used skates are already broken in by someone's else's foot, and won't take to your foot shape as well as new skates will. Plus they're harder to clean than most other equipment...I've heard stories about bacterial colonies existing in used skates.

Helmets become less and less effective after a few years and should be replaced every three years or so anyways. Don't skimp on them. I'm glad to hear that the league you're in enforces facial protection...when I play out, I always have a half-visor on.

Sticks loose their stiffness after as little as a few games of play, and are relatively cheap anyways. Wood sticks are fine for this level, even two-piece aluminum sticks. And if you find a stick you like, don't be afraid to buy a half-dozen or so if they go on sale. I loved my Bauer Supreme 3030 (Pronger), but next time I needed a stick, they were discontinued.

And jocks...well, who'd want to wear someone else's jock?

For the rest of the equipment, just go down to a sports exchange and get it for cheap. Shin pads, elbow pads, pants, shoulder pads, gloves...unless they're coming apart at the seams or have ten years of sweat stains permanently soaked in, they'll be fine. Most sports exchanges wash this equipment fairly good, so don't worry about wearing stuff that was once soaked in someone else's sweat.

Oh, and ignore the guys in the dressing room that spend half the time talking about their awesome composite sticks and how everyone who doesn't have a composite stick shouldn't be playing hockey. Unless you're playing junior, college, or pro, they're not worth having. Wood or aluminum sticks work just fine.

As a final note, I'm only loyal to the brand that makes a piece of equipment that fits right. Last time I went shopping for goal pads, I bought a pair of Vaughn Legacies because they fit me the best and have a reputation for not disintegrating after a year. Next time, maybe it'll be RBK or Brians. Find stuff you like, then go back home and Google around for reviews on the stuff.

MattyK · 08-28-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankster

Personally, I have purchased most of my "out" equipment (i also play goal) at Canadian Tire.

On a side note, the CT's in Edmonton are having a big hockey clearance sale. I picked up a pair of shin pads for $6 and a pair of gloves for $4 in the bargain bin. I also got a pair of skates for $10 in the bargain bin...they're the lowest of the lowest of Bauer models, but hey...$10!

All their discontinued skate models are going for 50%-75% off, as are a lot of their sticks. Might be good to check out; I'd assume the Calgary stores have a similar sale going on.

Engine09 · 08-28-2006, 09:25 PM

Anyone here have the Itech Concept II full visor? Do you like it?

Thinking about picking one up an ditching my half visor.

Flames4LifeFLA · 08-29-2006, 08:23 PM

RBK makes good hockey equipment and they make it for different levels...they have different series numbers based on how competitive your game is...3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, etc...

Depending on the level you are looking for, you can find RBK equipment (shinguards, elbow pads, should pads, etc.) in that series...sounds like you are a beginner, some RBK3000 or 4000 would be good...and it really protects too, they have some nice protection nowadays