A Beginner's Equipment Tale

[Human Zamboni 0]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum (any forum for that matter lol) and after reading 22 pages of posts, thought I would enter one. I am preparing to play in my first rec hockey league and have been learning to skate for the past three months. I'm 39, love college hockey (go Sioux!) and wanted to give hockey a try. I went to my LHS and purchased all my equipment and began taking lessons. As my skating has improved dramatically in the past three months, especially my speed, I find that I try more things and consequently fall more. The interesting thing from the equipment aspect, is the more I fall, the more I understand what I need in equipment. For example, when I fall, I tend to land on my hips, which my pants were lacking in padding. My elbow pads moved all over the place, my shin pads were too long, etc. I had a lot of help from my LHS, but because I just didn't know what I needed, I ended up with the wrong equipment for me. I have since purchased new pads, and am getting a better understanding of what equipment works best for me. I am probably just a big tard, but thought maybe someone else had had this experience. I also feel fortunate that because I'm new to playing hockey, I don't have maybe some of the negative stigmas against nontraditional brands (yep, I have Nike elbow pads, shin pads, and skates). My girlfriend who is a huge Sioux fan cut me off when she found out I bought Nike gear! Anyways, sorry if this was boring, I just wanted to share! lol

[kovalchuk71 212]

Congrats!!! Its a great sport to play.........:)

Welcome to the board :)

[ryno 0]

Welcome to the forum and the game. Good post, buy what fits and what works for you, not just what is supposed to be the latest and greatest thing on the market.

[Shorthanded67 0]

Welcome to MSH and more importantly, welcome to playing the sport of hockey.

Just remember, there's no stupid questions. Well I take that back....such stupid questions include "Wut skates fit my foot?". The misspelling is the first strike, and the ridiculous question would be strikes 2 and 3. :D

You already demonstrated that you're: A) capable of spelling and typing in complete sentences, and B ) realize that the two most important aspects of hockey equipment is the protection and fit.

Good luck to you in playing the sport and don't get too terribly caught up in the newest "hottest" composite OPS. (I need to tell myself that....)

[Chadd 916]

I find your story is pretty common among adults who pick up the game late in life. It always seems that the guys/gals have to replace most of their equipment once they start to play a little more.

[Accord 0]

Welcome to MSH (and the sport), it's good you finally got the right equipment. When I was really young and started playing, I too learned the hard way as far as equipment goes.

Since I found MSH, I never buy a new piece of equipment anymore without reading reviews on MSH and/or making a thread about it :).

[notorious#29 0]

Welcome to the boards!

[Sven 1]

In my opinion you deserve a lot of respect for starting hockey with 39.

Thats very cool !

I started when i was 19.. that was hard... but 39 thats even harder!

Im glad to hear that you didnt give up and are having fun.

[ultraman7k 0]

yeah, have fun and enjoy hockey!

[jimmy 194]

. I had a lot of help from my LHS, but because I just didn't know what I needed, I ended up with the wrong equipment for me.

Welcome to hockey, you are never to old to start, it's a sport you can play well into your 60's or later.

As for equipment fitting, sounds like your LHS didn't quite fit you right. Too long shins is a dead giveaway. I always recommend players try on every model, and then 1 size up/down from what I recommend as well. You also have to have skates and pants on when trying shins. Same with other equipments, you have to have adjoiningg equipment on same time to make sure everything fits/flows together.

I usually don't recommend novices start out with top of the line stuff (helmet excluded). Many will give it up after a season or even a few skates so you don't want to invest in a lot until you are sure you are committed. Then, if you are like most of us, you become a gear whore the rest of your life! :-)

[Human Zamboni 0]

Thanks for the kind words all. I wrestled with whether or not I would get top of the line equipment or just enough to get by. Maybe starting later in life I was fortunate because I have pretty decent career and maybe more "economic opportunity" than if I was younger. I read epinions and every forum, article, etc. I could find and decided to purchase equipment that was the best value. I would encourage the same for everybody starting out, get the best equipment your budget will allow. Even if you are in a no check league, as you learn, you fall--alot. I am fortunate to be able to take a lesson every week from a powerskating coach for the local WHL team where I live (not bragging at all, just dumb luck how it all worked out). I had never skated before, and the first few weeks I skated, I never fell. As I started to improve and try new things at new speeds, I fell all the time, and continue to do so, and in a weird way, almost take pride in it (like I said, I may be a tard!). That is why I'm glad I have quality equipment, it's the falling, not necessarily the checking. Again, I don't have top of the line stuff, but stuff that at least several people have commented on favorably. My equipment is:

Helmet: Bauer 5000 w/ Bauer 4000 cage;

Elbow Pads: Nike V-10 (formerly DR Axis 45, which weren't bad at all, just too big);

Shin Pads: Nike V-10 (fromerly CCM 852);

Shoulder Pads: Jofa 9400;

Pants: Jofa 9500, but have a pair of Mission M-2 on the way.

Skates: Nike V-10

[KnightII 0]

My equipment is: 

Helmet:  Bauer 5000 w/ Bauer 4000 cage;

Elbow Pads:  Nike V-10 (formerly DR Axis 45, which weren't bad at all, just too big);

Shin Pads:  Nike V-10 (fromerly CCM 852);

Shoulder Pads:  Jofa 9400;

Pants:  Jofa 9500, but have a pair of Mission M-2 on the way.

Skates:  Nike V-10

Welcome to the board...You're where I was about 3.5 years ago...I too jumped in to the game later in life...I was 32 at the time...playing in adult no-check leagues both ice and roller. I have recently (as of this past Christmas) begun replacing all of my "first batch" equipment. Knowing what I know now, I'm very carefull to get the better or best quality at a reasonable price. All my new gear is either last's years top of the line on clearance, or the "second best" option in the product lineup. Comfort, durability and affordability are as important to me as performance.

My gearbag contents are similar to yours:

Helmet: Nike 0004 w/ Bauer 4000 cage;

Elbow Pads: Nike V-10 (formerly Bauer 300);

Shin Pads: Nike V-10 (fromerly Bauer 500);

Shoulder Pads: Bauer 6000;

Pants: CCM Prostock bought from Predators "Garage Sale".(this is the last item I need to replace...looking at Nike Quest 2 or Bauer HP6000).

Skates: Bauer Supreme 8000 (my most recent purchase...formerly CCM Tacks 152. Wow...what a difference!)

Hopefully this forum will be as good an asset to you when selecting gear as it was for me.

Anyway...good luck to you, have fun...and always leave 'em seein' red.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Thanks for the kind words all. I wrestled with whether or not I would get top of the line equipment or just enough to get by. Maybe starting later in life I was fortunate because I have pretty decent career and maybe more "economic opportunity" than if I was younger. I read epinions and every forum, article, etc. I could find and decided to purchase equipment that was the best value. I would encourage the same for everybody starting out, get the best equipment your budget will allow. Even if you are in a no check league, as you learn, you fall--alot. I am fortunate to be able to take a lesson every week from a powerskating coach for the local WHL team where I live (not bragging at all, just dumb luck how it all worked out). I had never skated before, and the first few weeks I skated, I never fell. As I started to improve and try new things at new speeds, I fell all the time, and continue to do so, and in a weird way, almost take pride in it (like I said, I may be a tard!). That is why I'm glad I have quality equipment, it's the falling, not necessarily the checking. Again, I don't have top of the line stuff, but stuff that at least several people have commented on favorably. My equipment is:

Helmet: Bauer 5000 w/ Bauer 4000 cage;

Elbow Pads: Nike V-10 (formerly DR Axis 45, which weren't bad at all, just too big);

Shin Pads: Nike V-10 (fromerly CCM 852);

Shoulder Pads: Jofa 9400;

Pants: Jofa 9500, but have a pair of Mission M-2 on the way.

Skates: Nike V-10

Wow, you got some nice equipment there :)

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Welcome to the board!

Glad to hear your playing hockey.

[Karly14 21]

the M-2 are a good pant, hopefully they cushion your falls a little better

[jjtt99 0]

Welcome to the game. On the equipment front my advice to beginners.

1. Get comfortable skates that fit properly. I see way too many people who get too much skate for their ability. Middle of the pack skates will suit just fine. The top end models are made for experienced skaters and don't help beginners.

2. When you're starting off you need equipment to protect yourself from yourself. In beginner hockey the most painful collision will most likely come from your teammate. So with this in mind:

Pants: You need pants with good padding as you'll be falling a lot. Especially make sure there is good tailbone protection.

Shin Pads: Make sure the shin pads are the correct length. Too long and it will affect your skating. Too short and you're vulnerable. Make sure your shin pads don't slide around as you'll need them in the right spot when you fall on your knees. Tape will help keep them in place so don't cheap out when securing them.

Elbow Pads: Also very important they stay in place as they also protect you from falls.

Shoulder Pads: Not as important compared to those used in checking leagues. However decent shoulder pads will help when you slide into the boards, or that painful collission with your teammate.

Gloves: This is an area where beginners can save a bit. In beginner leagues not many people are bearing down with a two-hand slash.

Helmet: As long as it fits and is saftey certified you should be fine. Don't go used though as you don't know what it's been through.

Good luck!

JJ

[mojo122 538]

Nice screen name. ;) I figure that you have a good 40 years of playing hockey ahead of you. :) There’s a wealth of information on MSH from some friendly and knowledgeable folks. Do all your homework here and if you have a good LHS, support them whenever you can and in return, they'll take care of you in the long run. I’ve been enjoying the sport for over 30 years now. Hope you enjoy this great game as much as we all do.

[Rustyhole 1]

Welcome to hockey... I also re-entered the game recently & while I didn't need to learn to skate, playing in a game is alot different than passing the puck (or playing against kids at the local pond). I had the advantage of having a friend who was able to guide me and while I didn't follow all his advice (buying stuff used & "classic" shoulder pads) I found he was more helpful than most of the storehelp. If you need new pants, I bought CCM 659 Tacks & they are quite up to handling me (5'8" & 190lbs.) when I fall (also way more comfortable than I expected.)!!

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Indeed, welcome to hockey as a fellow adult. I myself started about 6 years ago when I was around 23-24. I just bought everything all at once, whatever was fairly cheap without any consideration for comfort or fit, I think I had a game the next night and was too eager to have all my gear purchased. Anyway, I soon found out my gear wasn't so comfortable while playing, but it was enough to get me started to see if I would like hockey. I too had a pair of pants without hip padding as I one day found out.

I changed every piece of my equipment at least once since I started. The second time through I knew how I would like my equipment to fit in certain game situations, so I focused on fit, comfort and protection where I thought it was needed. Stuff like elbow pads, shin guards and shoulder pads, I don't find myself replacing before they die once I found the right pair. Things I should have spent more time researching and shopping around for were the helmet, pants, cage, and skates.

While it's good to have the thoughts and opinions of others on paritcular pieces of equipment, I found whatever ultimately fit me the best is what I ended up buying. I don't know if you're upgrading skates too, but knowing about blade hollow, rocker, pitch can help your game quite a bit. For example, had I known about hollow years ago, I would have had a shallower one since I don't like too much edge on my skates. It made a big difference in the way I play, so knowing some skate tech can be beneficial early in your hockey "career."

Anyways, good luck with your gear search, and enjoy learning the game of hockey.