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