What equipment do you need to play hockey?

Select your position to see the essential equipment you'll need to get started.

Player Equipment

Helmet

Essential

Protects your head from impacts. Must be CSA, HECC, or ASTM certified.

Key Features:

Proper fit is crucial
Should sit level on your head
Chin strap must be fastened
Replace if damaged

Face Shield/Cage

Essential

Protects your face from pucks, sticks, and other impacts.

Options:

Full cage (most protection)
Full shield (better visibility)
Fishbowl (full face protection)

Shoulder Pads

Essential

Protects shoulders, chest, and upper arms from impacts.

Fit Guide:

Should cover shoulder to shoulder
Allow full range of motion
Not too bulky for your level

Elbow Pads

Essential

Protects elbows when falling or hitting the boards.

Features:

Should cover elbow completely
Stay in place during play
Lightweight and flexible

Gloves

Essential

Protects hands and provides grip on the stick.

Types:

Traditional (more protection)
Anatomical (better feel)
Hybrid (balance of both)

Hockey Pants

Essential

Protects hips, thighs, and lower back from falls and impacts.

Fit:

Should reach top of knee
Allow full range of motion
Include kidney protection

Jock/Jill

Essential

Protects groin area from pucks and impacts.

Important:

Must fit properly
Should be comfortable
Replace if damaged

Shin Pads

Essential

Protects shins and knees from pucks, falls, and impacts.

Size Guide:

Should cover knee to ankle
Knee cap should be centered
Not too long or short

Skates

Essential

Your most important piece of equipment. Proper fit is crucial.

Fitting Tips:

Get professionally fitted
Should be snug but not painful
Toes should barely touch the toe cap
Heel should be locked in

Hockey Stick

Essential

Your primary tool for handling the puck and shooting.

Selection:

Choose appropriate flex
Consider curve preference
Length should match your height
Try different brands/models

Jersey

Essential

League-supplied team jersey for games.

League Policy:

Jersey is provided by the league
Used for the entire season
Must be laundered and returned at conclusion of banquet
Should fit over shoulder pads

Neck Guard

Essential

Protects neck from skate cuts and other injuries.

Safety:

Prevents serious neck injuries
Required for all players
Lightweight and comfortable
Must be worn during all games

Hockey Socks

Recommended

Hold shin pads in place and complete your uniform.

Features:

Should match team colors
Hold shin pads securely
Wick moisture away

Mouth Guard

Optional

Protects teeth and reduces concussion risk.

Benefits:

Prevents dental injuries
May reduce concussion risk
Required in some leagues

Goaltender Equipment

Goalie Helmet

Essential

Specially designed helmet with cage or mask for goaltenders.

Features:

Heavier construction than player helmets
Better puck impact protection
Must be properly fitted
Replace if damaged

Chest Protector

Essential

Protects chest, shoulders, and arms from puck impacts.

Fit:

Should cover from neck to waist
Allow full arm movement
Not too bulky
Include shoulder floaters

Goalie Gloves

Essential

Specialized gloves for catching and blocking shots.

Types:

Catcher (left hand) - for catching pucks
Blocker (right hand) - for blocking shots
Must be properly sized

Goalie Pants

Essential

Heavy-duty pants with extra padding for goaltenders.

Features:

Extra padding for falls
Cover thighs completely
Include knee protection
Allow butterfly movement

Goalie Skates

Essential

Specialized skates designed for goaltender movement.

Features:

Lower profile than player skates
Better for lateral movement
More ankle support
Get professionally fitted

Leg Pads

Essential

Large pads that protect legs and help block shots.

Sizing:

Size based on ATK (ankle to knee)
Should cover knee to ankle
Allow butterfly movement
Not too heavy

Jock/Jill

Essential

Protects groin area from puck impacts.

Important:

Must fit properly
Should be comfortable
Replace if damaged

Goalie Jersey

Essential

Specialized jersey designed for goaltenders.

Features:

Loose fit for mobility
Team colors/design
Should fit over chest protector

Neck Guard

Essential

Protects neck from skate cuts and puck impacts.

Safety:

Prevents serious neck injuries
Required for all goaltenders
Lightweight and comfortable
Must be worn during all games

Goalie Stick

Essential

Specialized stick for goaltenders with wider blade.

Features:

Wider blade than player sticks
Shorter shaft
Better for blocking shots
Helps with puck handling
Essential for effective goaltending

Mouth Guard

Recommended

Protects teeth and reduces concussion risk.

Benefits:

Prevents dental injuries
May reduce concussion risk
Required in some leagues

Throat Guard

Recommended

Additional protection for the throat area.

Protection:

Extra throat protection
Attaches to helmet
Prevents serious injuries
Highly recommended for goaltenders

Accessories & Supplies

Hockey Bag

Essential

Durable bag to transport and store all your hockey equipment.

Features:

Large enough for all equipment
Waterproof or water-resistant
Wheeled options for convenience
Ventilated compartments for drying

Stick Tape

Essential

Hockey tape for wrapping stick blade and handle for better grip and puck control.

Usage:

Wrap blade for better puck control
Wrap handle for improved grip
Replace regularly when worn
Available in various colors

Equipment Tape

Essential

Clear or white tape for securing shin pads, socks, and other equipment.

Uses:

Secure shin pads to socks
Hold socks in place
Repair minor equipment tears
Mark equipment for identification

Equipment Deodorizer

Recommended

Spray or powder to keep equipment fresh and prevent odors.

Benefits:

Eliminates bacteria and odors
Extends equipment life
Keeps gear smelling fresh
Use after each game/skates

Water Bottle

Recommended

Stay hydrated during games with a durable water bottle.

Features:

Large capacity (32oz+)
Durable and leak-proof
Easy to clean
Insulated for cold water

Hockey Scissors

Recommended

Specialized scissors for cutting tape and adjusting equipment.

Uses:

Cut stick tape cleanly
Trim equipment as needed
Adjust jersey or socks
Emergency equipment repairs

Practice Jersey

Optional

Lightweight jersey for practices and training sessions.

Benefits:

Lightweight and breathable
Easy to wash and maintain
Protects game jersey from wear
Available in team colors

Ice Skate Guards

Optional

Protect skate blades when walking off the ice.

Protection:

Prevents blade damage
Safe walking on concrete
Extends blade life
Available in various styles

Thermal Base Layer

Recommended

Moisture-wicking thermal underwear for cold weather protection.

Features:

Moisture-wicking fabric
Thermal insulation
Lightweight and breathable
Available in tops and bottoms

Thermal Socks

Recommended

Warm, moisture-wicking socks for cold outdoor games.

Benefits:

Extra warmth for feet
Moisture-wicking properties
Thin enough to fit in skates
Prevent cold feet during games

Thermal Gloves

Recommended

Thin thermal gloves to wear under hockey gloves for extra warmth.

Uses:

Extra hand warmth
Thin enough to fit under hockey gloves
Moisture-wicking material
Prevent cold hands during play

Thermal Neck Gaiter

Optional

Warm neck protection for extremely cold weather conditions.

Protection:

Extra neck warmth
Can be pulled up over face
Lightweight and breathable
Wear under neck guard

Hand Warmers

Optional

Disposable or reusable hand warmers for extreme cold.

Usage:

Place in gloves or pockets
Provide heat for several hours
Use during breaks or warm-ups
Available in disposable or reusable

Equipment Tips & Safety

Proper Fitting

Always get your equipment professionally fitted, especially skates and helmet. Ill-fitting equipment can cause injuries and affect performance.

Safety First

Never compromise on safety equipment. Replace damaged equipment immediately and always wear all required protective gear.

Maintenance

Keep your equipment clean and dry. Regularly inspect for damage and replace worn-out pieces to maintain protection.

Budget Considerations

Start with essential equipment and upgrade as you progress. You can find quality used equipment to save money initially.

Local Hockey Shops - Etobicoke & GTA

Support local businesses in your community

New Equipment Stores

Duke's Source For Sports

New Equipment

3876 Bloor St W, Etobicoke, ON M9B 1L3

(416) 233-2011

Website

Full-service hockey store with professional fitting services and expert advice.

Professional Fitting Skate Sharpening Equipment Repair

Goalie Heaven

New Equipment

1590 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1A7

(416) 533-1791

Website

Specialized goaltender equipment store with expert fitting and customization services.

Goalie Specialists Custom Fitting Equipment Repair

HockeyStickMan Showroom

New Equipment

532 Evans Ave., Toronto, ON M8W 2V4

Website

Specialized hockey stick store with wide selection and expert advice on stick selection.

Stick Specialists Custom Sticks Expert Advice

Used Equipment Stores

Play It Again Sports

Used Equipment

781 The Queensway Unit J, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6A8

(416) 503-2288

Website

Buy, sell, and trade used hockey equipment. Great for beginners and budget-conscious players.

Buy & Sell Quality Used Gear Trade-In Program

Hockey Stick Man

Used Equipment

532 Evans Avenue Toronto, ON M8W 2V4

(416) 252-1111

Website

Used hockey equipment and stick store with quality control and fair pricing.

Used Equipment Quality Control Fair Pricing

Toronto Hockey Repair

Used Equipment

1592 Bloor Street W Toronto, ON M6P 1A7

(416) 533-1791

Website

Hockey equipment repair and used equipment sales with professional service.

Equipment Repair Used Equipment Professional Service

Gear Services

Love Your Gear

Gear Services

41 Advance Road, Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6

416-538-8704

Website

Professional hockey equipment cleaning and maintenance services.

Equipment Cleaning Maintenance Professional Service

All Sport Cleaning Service

Gear Services

416.726.4829

Website

Professional sports equipment cleaning and sanitization services.

Equipment Cleaning Sanitization Professional Service

Shopping Tips

Call ahead to check inventory and book fitting appointments

Bring your current equipment for comparison when shopping

Ask about team discounts and bulk pricing

Check store hours and availability before visiting

Support local businesses - they often provide better service