Items to consider when ordering a Helmet are:

• Helmet must be CSA or HECC approved.
• Measure the circumference around the head, just above the eyebrows.
• What age of person is the helmet for.
• We recommend that some form of Facial protection be worn as well as an Internal Mouthguard.
• Helmets are adjustable and usually come in three sizes, Small, Medium & Large.

To maximize your protection, adjust your helmet to ensure a snug fit and that the chinstrap is adjusted so that it gently makes contact under your chin when fastened. Helmets are probably the most important piece of ice hockey equipment you purchase. See Helmets ....here!

Things you should know when ordering a Mask or Shield:

• What is the age of the person.
• Measure the distance between the eyebrows to the bottom of the chin, with the mouth closed.
• Masks and Shields must be CSA or HECC approved for use in most organized associations.

The traditional Cage Face Mask is both strong and durable.   It provides excellent ventilation for cooling and breathing with adequate vision.

The Face Shield provides excellent vision both straight ahead and peripherally.  You will sacrifice air flow with a full face shield when compared to a cage.

They not only significantly reduce the incidence and severity of injuries to the teeth and mouth, but they also act as a shock absorber against more serious injuries like jaw fractures and concussions.

When Ordering Shoulder Pads, you should know:

• Age, Weight, Height and Chest Size
• Level of Play

What's most important is that the center of your shoulder lines up directly with the center of the shoulder caps.

Properly fitted pads will provide protection for the Collar Bone, Chest, Ribs, Back and Upper Arms. See Ice Hockey Protective ....here!

Things you should know when ordering Elbow Pads:

• Age and Level of Play
• Type of arm, i.e.; Long, Thin, Short or Thick.

Like the shoulder pads...your elbows should fit comfortably into the center of the elbow pad cup.  A good elbow pad will provide forearm protection by extending down to the cuff of your hockey glove. See Elbow Pads ....here!

When ordering Gloves, you should know the following;

• Age and Level of Play
• In relation to Age, is the persons finger length, long, medium or short.

One of your primary concerns with the fit of the hockey glove is to ensure that the gap between the glove and the elbow pad is minimal.

The tightness of the glove is a personal preference and the tips of your fingers should not go completely to the ends of the glove. See Hockey Gloves ....here!

Things you should know when ordering Hockey Pants:

• Age, Height & Weight.
• Level of Play.
• Waist Size.

Your pants should fit loosely and comfortably, yet you also should be able to secure them firmly by a belt around your waist.  90% of all people will be able to use their waist size as their guide to choosing the correct size pants.

The bottom of the pants should overlap the top of your shin pad kneecaps by 1-2 inches. See Hockey Girdles ....here!

Things you should know when ordering Shin Pads:

• Age & Level of Play.
• Distance in inches between the center of the kneecap & the ledge of the skate, just above the top eyelet.
  To obtain this measurement, have the individual sitting with their leg bent at 90^o and wearing a skate.
• Like other pads, your kneecap should fit directly into the center of the kneepad cup of your shin pad.

The shin pad should then extend the full length of the lower leg.

It is important to make sure that the shin pad is not too long.  Try to keep the tongue of the skate under the shin pad. See Shin Guards ..

Things you should know when ordering Skates:

• Age & Level of Play
• Last Brand & Model of skate worn as well as size (length & width).
• Actual Foot Size
  
  You will need the following items to correctly measure foot size;
  A. 2 pieces of Legal sized paper
  B. 1 pencil or pen
  C. A tape measurer
  D. 2 video cassettes
  
  To determine this, have the person be seated and wearing the same thickness of sock as he or she would wear when skating.  Measure each foot separately by placing the foot on a piece of legal sized paper (11 X 14).  Now, while sitting, slide a video cassette up against the back of the heel and the other cassette up against the longest toe.   Make a mark on the paper at the heel & toe.  Measure the exact distance between the lines and write it down on the paper, labeling it left or right foot.   To determine the width, slide the cassettes against the widest part of the forefoot and mark both sides.  Measure the distance between these marks and record the measurement on the paper.

Skates normally fit 1-1/12 sizes smaller than your shoe size.   For on ice performance, the skate is the single most important piece of equipment you wear. See Hockey Skates ....here!

If you do this for a few hours, it will help reduce the break in period and your feet will feel better when you hit the ice for the first skate with them.

Remember to wear rubber skate guards to avoid damage to floors.

The best way to measure your stick is to stand in your stocking feet, without your skates on and on a flat surface.

Place the toe of your stick on the ground between your feet.  Lean the stick straight up-and-down so that the handle of the stick touches the tip of your nose.

The general rule is to mark the stick at this point and cut the handle on your mark.  Then when you stand in your skates, the stick should come up to your chin or just below it.  Shorter is always better especially when for puck handling. See Hockey Stick Etiquette ....here!

Wood Sticks:
Generally manufactured with a standard square shape.   These are generally the heaviest sticks.  They have good value but have poor shaft consistency and may break easier.

Aluminum Shaft:
They are higher priced than wood but are more durable with consistent shaft flex.  You also have a choice as to the degree of flex in the shaft,  usually, medium stiff and extra stiff.

Composite Shafts:
Can be found in different shapes, weights and flexes.  A composite shaft should be purchased for improved shaft consistency, shot speed accuracy and its lighter weight.  These are usually more expensive and have less durability than Aluminium.