Goalies

For young goaltenders, protection is critical to confidence so ensuring safety and comfort of the equipment will have a major impact on interest in the position and development.

Moisture Wicking Under Garments - Provides warmth and protection from the gear itself while wicking away perspiration during play. More advanced pants and shirts have cut resistant calf, wrist and neck layers built into the compression system which add an additional level of safety for the goaltenders.

Leg Protection - It is a USA Hockey rule that ALL goaltenders must wear some sort of legging underneath their pads and never have bare legs. It is further recommended to wear a cut resistant calf protection pant or calf-roll sock sock with similar cut resistance for further safety.

Goalie Chest Protector - Goalie chest protectors cover the players entire midsection and arms. Covering that much area while maintaining mobility can make proper fit challenging. The bottom of the chest protector should be at the player's beltline. The arms should be long enough to cover the wrist bone and the top should cover the collarbone. Make sure the arm pads aren't adjusted too long so that they push the goaltenders gloves off when moving.

Goalie Neck Guard - Many chest protectors leave extra room at the top to enable flexibility to look down when necessary. Goalies are required to wear a neck laceration protector as mandated by USA Hockey. They are further encouraged to wear a goalie specific neck guard which further protects the collarbone. Many new models of goalie neck guards have begun to incorporate the collarbone protector, neck laceration protector into one comfortable compression shirt or mini T-shirt.

Goalie Leg Pads - Goalie Leg Pads are sized numerically rather than by standard "Small, Medium, Large, etc.". This number is the measurement from the toe of the pads to top of the thigh, in inches. The pads should come to the mid-thigh or just above when standing with legs together. There is a measurement many fitters use called ATK - Ankle-to-Knee that usually incorporates the first number of inches you see in a pad (20" - 36"). The second number you see refers to the Thigh-Rise additional height from the knee commonly in +1" or +2". The most important piece of a pad fit is to check where the goalie lands on the Knee Rise or Knee Blocks while wearing their skates.

Goalie Knee & Thigh Guards - Protects the thigh and knee areas of a goalie and are especially helpful when utilizing the butterfly position.

Stick - One of the most commonly incorrectly sized pieces of equipment is the goal stick. When the goalie is in his/her stance, the blade of the stick should be evenly flat on the ice (or floor) and the hand holding the stick should be mid-thigh. When in butterfly the sticks paddle shouldn't push their blocker up into an overly high position when the blade is on the ice. Unless your U8 or U10 goalie is 6' tall you shouldn't have a paddle height over 23".

We know that being a goalie or goalie parent can be daunting at times with some of the extra equipment that is required, but don't let that deter your goalie from having a wonderful safe experience in the net. Below are some options for outfitting your goalie with used or new equipment.

GOALCREASE - Goalcrease in Edina has a great selection of used and new equipment for sale for all age goalies. They have a great staff that can help you get the right size gear, ensure proper fit and even an ice sheet on site to see how the equipment feels in action.

SIDELINE SWAP - Sidelineswap.com is an online exchange for buying and selling used equipment for all sports. They have a great Hockey Goalie section, and if you know what you need for size they likely have multiple options for your goalie and most of the equipment is very gently used. Just keep in mind that some of the equipment may be shipping from Canada and plan to adjust for time and shipping costs.

Goalie Supporter Cup - Make sure to get a goalie version of the Jock/Jill supporter. Goalie versions have thicker foam padding which provide additional protection to the players midsection.

ONLINE RETAILERS - PURE GOALIE, GOALIE MONKEY

If you are 100% positive of your goalies sizing you can look at these two online retailers for equipment deals. However, be aware that trying equipment on and getting a feel for it before it's been ordered is crucial for your goalies safety and development. Most local retailers will honor any discounts you may find online and you will have the peace of mind knowing you have the stores support.

Goalie Breezers/Pants - Goalie breezers have extra padding on the front of the hip, inner thigh, outer thigh and all around the waist line. Many goaltenders wear skater pants through Squirts/U10 level, but it is recommended to change once they reach the Peewee/U12 level as the shots tend to come faster and harder. The breezers should come to mid-thigh or just above when standing together.

Hanging Throat Protector - This piece of equipment, typically made from clear polycarbonate, attaches to the goalie helmet and helps protect the neck and throat area by deflecting shot pucks.

Goalie Helmet - Arguably the most important piece of equipment, ensuring proper fit is extremely important for the helmet. Goalie helmets should snug around all aspects of the goalies head, allowing little-to-no wiggle room during movement. Goalie masks (and helmets) must be HECC approved to ensure the openings on the cage are small enough to ensure butt-end stick protection.

Glove & Blocker - Each player should have a glove for their catching hand and a blocker for the other hand. Sizing can be determined based on a player's ability to handle a stick for the blocker and effectively close the catch glove. For the catch glove make sure the goalies palm crease fits the break in the glove comfortably. For the blocker make sure the fingers don't fold over when the goalies hand is securely in the glove. Both catch glove and blockers are cut from the same size pattern so if a blocker or glove fits one size you should keep that same size for the other hand.

Skates - Young players can use standard skates to play goalie and this will allow them to switch back to a skater to work on essential skating and hockey skills. When a goalie gets older and starts specializing in goaltending they should move into goalie specific skates which help them with their balance and agility when in their goalie stance and making movements. These skates also provide additional protection from any shots that may sneak through.