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***IMPORTANT*** Proper Fitting Hockey Gear
2023-11-06
Double Check Your Players Gear
As all levels of hockey in SPRMHA begin the regular season I think this is something for players and parents to take time to check.
Proper Fitting Gear
I spent a few hours at the rink watching lots of hockey and noticed a few things that need to be addressed.
1. Neck Guards: By now everyone has heard about the tragedy in England a couple of weeks ago when a young man lost his life at the rink. In minor hockey, a proper neck guard is to be worn at all times. Practice and Games. It should not hang loose or be modified in any way. Such a simple piece of equipment can prevent a needless injury or worse.
2. Cage Hang. If you don't know what cage hang is just ask your player and they will tell you. A hockey cage should fit snuggly against the player's chin and into the brackets on the side of the helmet. It should never hang loose. I witnessed players this weekend as young as 11 years old with a loose hanging cage. It is not serving its intended purpose hanging like this and is the equivalent of taking a seatbelt and wearing it behind your body. Yes technically you are wearing the seat belt but is it really doing any good? So tighten those straps and make sure the cage is the correct size for the player's head.
3. Expired Helmets. Did you know hockey helmets expire? They do. Check the CSA sticker for a year on the back of the helmet. If a helmet is missing parts, cracked or has been modified in any way it should be replaced.
4. Gear that is too small. This is especially important for the gear you don't see. For the parents with older players, when was the last time you checked the length of the shin pad or the size of the elbow pad? Pants should cover the kidneys and the top of the shin pad. Gloves should cover the wrist. Elbow pads should go up to the shoulder pad.
Every once and a while go through your player's gear and make sure it fits correctly.
Proper Fitting Gear
I spent a few hours at the rink watching lots of hockey and noticed a few things that need to be addressed.
1. Neck Guards: By now everyone has heard about the tragedy in England a couple of weeks ago when a young man lost his life at the rink. In minor hockey, a proper neck guard is to be worn at all times. Practice and Games. It should not hang loose or be modified in any way. Such a simple piece of equipment can prevent a needless injury or worse.
2. Cage Hang. If you don't know what cage hang is just ask your player and they will tell you. A hockey cage should fit snuggly against the player's chin and into the brackets on the side of the helmet. It should never hang loose. I witnessed players this weekend as young as 11 years old with a loose hanging cage. It is not serving its intended purpose hanging like this and is the equivalent of taking a seatbelt and wearing it behind your body. Yes technically you are wearing the seat belt but is it really doing any good? So tighten those straps and make sure the cage is the correct size for the player's head.
3. Expired Helmets. Did you know hockey helmets expire? They do. Check the CSA sticker for a year on the back of the helmet. If a helmet is missing parts, cracked or has been modified in any way it should be replaced.
4. Gear that is too small. This is especially important for the gear you don't see. For the parents with older players, when was the last time you checked the length of the shin pad or the size of the elbow pad? Pants should cover the kidneys and the top of the shin pad. Gloves should cover the wrist. Elbow pads should go up to the shoulder pad.
Every once and a while go through your player's gear and make sure it fits correctly.