| Ice hockey is a dangerous game. The surface of the | | | | amount of padded protection to make it safer for |
| ice is hard, the ice is full of players putting their full | | | | them to get in the way of the puck that is heading |
| force into moving around the ice and the pucks can | | | | goal wards. The goaltender is allowed equipment that |
| reach up to 100 mph when hit well and all of this is | | | | is different from other players on the team. The |
| before a brawl kicks off. It is no wonder that there | | | | equipment generally has more protection for impacts |
| is a vast range of high quality ice hockey equipment | | | | from the front and the clothing generally has little |
| that has been developed to secure the safety of ice | | | | protection for a goalie's back. This is typically because |
| hockey players. | | | | the goalie is less likely to be impacted from that |
| There are items of equipment available to help | | | | direction. The main benefit for the goaltender is that |
| protect every inch of an ice hockey player and still | | | | he or she is able to use a larger stick than other |
| enable the player to move freely around the ice | | | | players. The stick has a wider blade and can be a |
| hockey rink. There is also a wide range of ice hockey | | | | great help for preventing the puck from entering the |
| equipment that is designed to help improve the | | | | goal. |
| quality of the performance of the competitor. Typical | | | | The equipment used by regular players is designed to |
| performance enhancing equipment includes items such | | | | help the player cope with the needs of the game |
| as skates and hockey sticks whilst safety gear | | | | and maximise the performance. The main item of kit |
| includes helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, mouth | | | | being the shirt that is worn over the protective |
| guards, protective gloves, shin pads, chest protector | | | | clothing and helps the team players recognise team |
| and a neck guard. | | | | mates and opposition with ease. These shirts are |
| The type of equipment that the players utilise is | | | | usually very thin and are supplementary to clothing |
| often dependent on the position that they play for | | | | that is worn underneath. Arguably the most |
| the team. The kit that the goal tender wears differs | | | | important piece of kit for the players is the helmet |
| greatly from the outfield players. | | | | which is designed to keep the head safe and also |
| The main area of difference between outfield players | | | | often includes a face cage or visor to keep the face |
| and goal tenders is in the style of skates that the | | | | safe but also allow for maximum visibility so that the |
| goaltender wears. The skates that the goal tender | | | | wearer's site is not impeded. |
| wears are generally a lower, flatter style of skates. | | | | The hockey stick that regular players use is often |
| This style of skate lends better to lateral movement | | | | thinner than that of the goaltender and it usually has |
| and can help the goaltender remain steady on the ice. | | | | a curvature that is designed to help cup the puck and |
| The role of the goaltender is obviously very different | | | | subsequently flick it effectively. There are a number |
| to the role of a normal player and the goaltender | | | | of sticks that are made out of composite materials |
| does not need to achieve speed and quick turns. | | | | but wooden sticks remain very popular in the |
| The goaltender will often also wear a considerable | | | | professional game. |