Most essential piece of protective equipment?

[Quintin 16]

As a hockey player, protection and comfort are the two most important things when it comes to equipment. Now, say if you already have a whole set of pads, which most of you do anyways, what would you change to make you feel more confident while playing hockey and why?

[Patrick67 1]

Ooops, I voted before reading your post.

Read the topic as: If you could only wear one piece of equipment (what would be the most essential) :lol:

[BK 0]

I would say a tie between shin and cup.

[Hooah4 12]

Cup not added to list. If it's an accessory that's my vote.

Edit :after rereading the details I'd have to go with helmet. As a side note you can never have a too protective cup.

[pantherfan 0]

I'd still say shin over cup,i just seem to get hit their more often and i acnt stand it when people hit me in the shin when playing roller

[stickler012 0]

I'd rather take a couple to the shins than one to the groin.

[OkSt. 0]

I'll say shoulder pads because I've had trouble with my shoulders and I'm currently looking for another pair of pads.

[crutesie 0]

I'd rather take a couple to the shins than one to the groin.

Seconded..

[BK 0]

Exactly.. Shin-shot = ouch and a bruise.. Crotch shot (even with a cup) = im out of the game for a few days.

[Cheechoo 0]

Did any of you guys actually read his post? He's not asking which single piece of equipment is the most important, but if you have a full set, which is the one that you'd most want to upgrade for increased comfort, etc. I haven't seen too many different styles of cups, so I would say that is the LEAST important one to upgrade. Maybe Warrior will one day come out with a composite cup that will better protect Mac Daddy, but until then my vote goes to elbow pads. There is nothing as annoying as a badly-fitting pair of elbow pads that slip down, twist, have the velcro get stuck on your jersey, come undone, etc.

[HotBacon 0]

Helmet only because I just replaced my gloves (Easton Syngergy 800s) and shin guards (Jofa 9090s from the Reading Royals equipment sale). Next on the list - helmet or skates.

Edit - In comic book guy's voice "Most confusing thread ever."

[ash_96 0]

I voted elbow pads as everytime i get hit/get tripped i always seem to land on my elbow and my pad move round. Always the same elbow though!

[13crayons 0]

I went with shins because i can't seem to find any that fit right...the 13" are too small and the 14's are too big :(

[bucko 0]

CUP!!! believe me... :D

[DarkStar50 680]

Last Friday night, Jimmy the goalie forgot his goalie cup. He had on a regular player cup. Yeah, he got dinged on the first shot from the blueline(a rocket) and 30 minutes later on a tip that went hit the bottom first. He told me before the game, no cup. I knew he would get hit there.

[pantherfan 0]

He kept playing after a slapshot to the balls!

When ever i get hit in my regions it makes me feel sick

[DarkStar50 680]

We are old school. Unless you are dead, you can't leave. The week before the other flaky goalie just skated off with 10 minutes to go in our game. We didn't know what happened to him until we found him in the bathroom. He had to take a dump. He said he couldn't squeeze his cheeks any longer.

[Overtime 0]

Last Friday night, Jimmy the goalie forgot his goalie cup. He had on a regular player cup. Yeah, he got dinged on the first shot from the blueline(a rocket) and 30 minutes later on a tip that went hit the bottom first. He told me before the game, no cup. I knew he would get hit there.

When you don't have your cup, chances are your going to sacked that game.

It's almost a rule

[gavin 0]

On our team, it is a rule. Once a freshman came to his 2nd or 3rd practise and just before he hits the ice he's like "ooops i forgot my cup" . He's such a blond. While I had an extra cup (learned that from a lesson, once in a tourney my cup got split and I had to leave the game and go buy a new one :( ), he didn't even have a jock strap. LOL He got raked SO many times. He's just lucky we were only doing drills that day, cause he could have gotten drilled.

[gavin 0]

On our team, it is a rule. Once a freshman came to his 2nd or 3rd practise and just before he hits the ice he's like "ooops i forgot my cup" . He's such a blond. While I had an extra cup (learned that from a lesson, once in a tourney my cup got split and I had to leave the game and go buy a new one :( ), he didn't even have a jock strap. LOL He got raked SO many times. He's just lucky we were only doing drills that day, cause he could have gotten drilled.

Oh and BTW I voted helmet but I think if cup was an option, I would go for that. You can always get a new cup, I really don't get attached to them. But my Joffa lid... I might think twice before parting with that old buddy.

[dieselbro 0]

Yeah, I'd have to say helmet, my head has been rocked around a few times and well, its not tooo fun sitting out games because of concussions.

[suppaman 0]

well its somewhat silly, i mean if you suited up to play the game at a highly competive level with only one piece of equipment (against guys with all their equipment), it'd have to be a helmet, otherwise you could easily end up really screwed up or possibly dead...any extremity you can live without other than your head

[flip12 729]

Breezers/Pants. I can't find long enough ones. I don't think I've ever shopped around enough for them. If they don't fit right they mess up skating entirely.

[supermanly 0]

my helmet is nice (bauer 8000) or something. now my gloves, they're crusty and small. If skates were on here, i would pick them, only because my current pair and last pair aren't/haven't fit correctly.