Learn to Play Wild - Equipment Checklist

Outfitting a child for ice hockey can seem daunting, particularly for parents without a hockey background. But don’t be intimidated.

Stateline Sports in West Lebanon sells new gear for young children. Equipment can also be purchased online from sites such as hockeymonkey.com and hockeygiant.com. Used equipment can be found at Listen Center stores or the Hanover Hockey Association’s gear exchange (click HERE).

Checklist of the items you’ll need to get your child on the ice:

• Helmet with face mask -- Reminder: Before buying a used helmet, check the expiration date on the certification sticker on the back; helmets are adjustable and good for 6.5 year from the date of manufacture.
• Skates -- If opting for used skates, consider replacing the insoles. Also, if the used skates are “heat moldable,” they can be remolded to you child’s foot. Reminder: Skates and shoes are sized differently, so your child’s skate size will be lower than her shoe size.
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Pants
• Hockey jock/jill -- Jocks come with an athletic cup/jills have a protective built-in pad
• Shin guards -- Much longer and wider than soccer shin guards
• Hockey socks -- The socks cover the shin guards. Traditionally, they are made of cotton, but the polyester mesh style with velcro attachments has become increasingly popular.
• Stick -- Look for one with a flat blade; apply hockey tape to the blade and handle
• Gloves
• Neck guard
• Mouth guard
• Long johns