Hockey Equipment Guide
Having the right equipment — and wearing it properly — keeps you safe, comfortable, and confident on the ice. This guide explains required gear, recommended extras, and a few important expectations for our sessions.
This applies to all skill levels, especially beginner and intermediate players.
Equipment Requirements
To participate, skaters are required to wear a helmet and gloves, and are strongly recommended to have full basic hockey equipment.
Recommended basic hockey equipment includes:
- Hockey stick
- Hockey skates
- Shin guards
- Hockey pants
- Elbow pads
- Gloves
- Athletic cup / pelvic protector
- Helmet
Wearing full equipment greatly reduces injury risk and helps keep games safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Gloves
- Hockey gloves protect your hands, wrists, and fingers
- Gloves should stay on at all times during play
Bare hands are extremely vulnerable to sticks, pucks, and skates.
Skates
- Proper hockey skates are required
- Recreational or figure skates are not recommended
- Make sure skates are sharpened and tied securely
Loose skates increase injury risk and make skating much harder.
Stick
- Use a hockey stick appropriate to your height and strength
- Stick length should generally reach between your chin and nose when standing on skates
- Do not use cracked or broken sticks
If your stick breaks during play, drop it immediately and skate to the bench.
Strongly Recommended Equipment
While not always required, the following gear greatly improves safety:
Shin Guards
- Protect against pucks, sticks, and falls
- Should fully cover the shin from knee to skate tongue
Elbow Pads
- Protect elbows and forearms during falls or contact
Shoulder Pads
- Reduce impact from falls and incidental contact
- Especially important for new players learning balance
Protective Pants
- Protect hips, thighs, and tailbone
Athletic Cup / Pelvic Protector
- Highly recommended for all players
- Prevents serious and avoidable injuries
Jerseys
- Bring one dark jersey and one light jersey
- Avoid hard-to-read colors (grey, camo, gradients)
- Jerseys should fit over shoulder pads comfortably
Clear jersey colors help keep games organized and fair.
Mouthguards
- Mouthguards are strongly recommended
- Help prevent dental injuries and concussions
A simple mouthguard goes a long way.
Equipment Etiquette & Safety
- No jewelry on the ice
- Tie back long hair securely
- Keep water bottles off the playing surface
- Keep sticks and pucks off the bench
Loose items can cause injuries.
Where to Get Hockey Gear
If you’re new to hockey or upgrading equipment, these options can help you get started:
- Central Georgia Hockey Marketplace — buy, sell, or trade used gear within the community at centralgeorgiahockey.com/marketplace
- Pure Hockey — shop online at purehockey.com or visit their retail store in Roswell, GA
- HockeyMonkey — online retailer with a wide selection at hockeymonkey.com
- Ice Warehouse — online retailer offering gear and beginner-friendly guides at icewarehouse.com
Used gear is a great option for new players, and the community marketplace is often the most affordable place to start. Local shops can help with fitting, while online stores offer wider selection and sales.
Final Thought
You don’t need the most expensive gear — just proper, well-fitting equipment.
If you’re unsure whether your gear is appropriate, ask an organizer or experienced player. Everyone started somewhere.