Goalie Skates for Kids

[mikebu 0]

My son is 8 years old and has been skating playing hockey for the previous 3.5 years. He is a good skater and has decided that he wants to be a goalie this year.

Last year he practiced with his team once a week as a goalie and this summer he has been playin 3 on 3 as a goalie. His equipment wasn't the best and he frequently took a puck where he had no padding but still wanted to play the position.

This year I got him a full set of new Rbk 5k goalie equipment but for skates I got him player skates because he most likely will have to share the goalie position and will be skating up when he wasn't in goal.

To cut to the chase he really wants a pair of goalie skates. Should I get him a pair of goalie skates? I am thinking that switching back and forth from goalie skates to player skates will offset any advantage to the goalie skates.

Options wanted and needed, thanks...

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

Well, at that level, he won't be facing hard shots to warrant needing the extra protection. I'd leave him in player skates for now.

[Netminder32 32]

DEFINITELY get goalie skates!

If price is a factor, you can get an inexpensive used pair off eBay or your local sports shop or even by posting a want ad on the message board. Playing net well in players skates would be virtually impossible at any level.

Goalie skate blades are wider and cut differently. This greatly changes the way you play in them. You have a longer ice bite path and a lot more stability. Plus there is the added foot protection of the cowling and the freedom of ankle movement provided by the lower cut boot. You just cannot move you foot that way in a players skate.

[unholygoalie 0]

But what about when he has to play out? How would the transition from player skates to goal skates effect him? And I don't imagine the team would let him play out in goal skates. My suggestion is unless he plays goal full time, it might be best to keep him in player skates, otherwise he might have too much trouble switching between the two distinct skate styles.

[sc37 0]

DEFINITELY get goalie skates!

If price is a factor, you can get an inexpensive used pair off eBay or your local sports shop or even by posting a want ad on the message board. Playing net well in players skates would be virtually impossible at any level.

Goalie skate blades are wider and cut differently. This greatly changes the way you play in them. You have a longer ice bite path and a lot more stability. Plus there is the added foot protection of the cowling and the freedom of ankle movement provided by the lower cut boot. You just cannot move you foot that way in a players skate.

Heheh, funny you say that. In my adult league, the team we played last night had their emergency goalie in, noticed they had on players skates, a Bauer 1000 with a cage, and some old Vaughn pads. And we lost 7-1...stopped our best player on at least two breaks too.

[Netminder32 32]

But what about when he has to play out? How would the transition from player skates to goal skates effect him? And I don't imagine the team would let him play out in goal skates. My suggestion is unless he plays goal full time, it might be best to keep him in player skates, otherwise he might have too much trouble switching between the two distinct skate styles.

I've done both. There is no problem in the transition. The skating style between being in net and skating out are completely different and each skate is engineered to perform specifically for each position. Yes they feel extremely different but there is no problem going back and forth. Even between brands...when I played out I was wearing CCMs, while in net I wear Bauers.

[thehighlife 0]

Being 8 he won't have to worry about protection. Until he is going to be playing full time just use his regular player skates but when he plays net have them sharpened like a goalie skate and when he plays out have them re-sharpened with more of a hollow. As soon as he makes the decision to play full time or the team lets him be the only goalie then go out and get a low to mid level goalie skate. If he really wants to be the team goalie maybe it would be a good idea for him to talk to the coach and let him know his interest

[merle720 0]

Get goalie skates. Simple. He will have no problem going in between the 2 skates. 8 and having to worry about protecion???? You got all the gear but the skates so get the skates and have a complete package.

[Netminder32 32]

I think the main things you need to focus on are the differences in the skate and how they relate to someone who is 8 and just starting out playing net. Protection is not necessarily the biggest determining factor.

1) Goalie skates are cut on a 28' to 30' radius. Very long and gradual. Players skates are cut on a 9' to 13' radius depending on how radical you are.

long radius = long flat contact patch (___________) vs short radius = small curved contact patch (___) ...when looking from the side

2) Goalie skate blades are almost twice the width of a players blade.

wide blade |___| vs narrow blade |__| .... when looking head on

3) Goalie skate boots are cut low, right above the ankle. Players skate boots are cut higher to prevent the ankle from flexing.

While there is no doubt someone could play net in a players skate, or run a marathon in work boots.... It is not necessarily the best way to do either.

Picture this, you are 8 years old and you have just strapped an additional 30lbs+ almost exclusively to the front of your body. Now you have to try and remain stable on your skates. Which is going to be most advantageous...a long radius with a wide and forgiving blade or a short radius with very narrow blade.

Then there is the whole mobility thing. As a goalie a good portion of your movement is generated at the ankle. Bending the ankles inward to hold that low wide stance, pushing off or shuffling while in a butterfly position. This all requires a good amount of articulation in the ankle area...with the players skate you have no bend at the ankle. They are specifically designed to provide support at the ankles and keep you ankles straight up at the sides. At 8 most of the action you face is going to be along the ice.

To reprofile your skates between playing out and playing net is also a little unrealistic. To change the profile from a 9' radius to a 30' radius involves the removal of a lot of blade, takes a lot of time so as not to overheat the blade and costs $30 (around here anyways). It is not the same as simply resharpening an already profiled blade. Then changing it back to a 9' radius from the 30' radius to play out again, you are going to lose a lot more steel at the ends, and another $30...

[BK 0]

... Not to mention the lower center of gravity with the holders. This was the biggest hinderance for me when I played goal in my players skates (just fooling around). I felt like I was WAY too tall for the net and im only 5'11".

[mikebu 0]

Thank you all for the informed comments/discussions. You guys made my son's night as I will now get him some goalie skates...

[jimmy 194]

Thank you all for the informed comments/discussions. You guys made my son's night as I will now get him some goalie skates...

You can prob find some good used goal skates for cheap. We sell consignment goal skates for around $60 that are basically new, used 1 season or so. Your kid then plays in them a yr till he grows out of them, then you sell them for what you paid for them, essentially using them for free. The market for used goal skates is huge. I usually have a waiting list and used ones are sold the minute someone brings some in.

BTW, I cinco the motoin and vote for getting goal skates. Using player skates is the worst thing you can do to a developing goalie. In addition to stance, balance and ankle movement, a goal skate is also lower to the ice and does help with quicker pad rotation and also helps keep pucks from slipping under the toe bridge.

When I was a kid, I played goal and skated out for ten yrs, rotating between goal skates and regular ones. Can't remember any transition problems.

[mikebu 0]

I got him a new pair of Vector goalie skates because his new regular skates were Vector's so when I mailordered them I knew they would fit him. He looks pretty good in them and I do believe it has helped his game.

One last question on his goalie leg pads. The first strap after the shoe laces that tie into the front of the skate. Should that go through the middle of his skate blade or should it go through the rear of his skate blade?

[Netminder32 32]

It's personal preference...but as a rule of thumb;

If you don't use toe slack on your toe bridge lacing (ie hybrid style/stand up) route the strap through the back of the blade to keep the pad snug to the boot.

If you use toe slack on your toe bridge lacing (ie want pads to rotate) route the strap through the centre hole of the cowling.

Any variation is suitable though, you just have to find out what works for you (or your son)

Good graphic showing toe slack and lace/strap routing....

[jimmy 194]

Something wierd about that picture, dated 2004??? Vector goal skates released just a few months ago. :D Your camera needs a new battery. haha