| Ice hockey is a dangerous game. The surface of | | | | amount of padded protection to make it safer for |
| the ice is hard, the ice is full of players putting | | | | them to get in the way of the puck that is |
| their full force into moving around the ice and the | | | | heading goal wards. The goaltender is allowed |
| pucks can reach up to 100 mph when hit well and | | | | equipment that is different from other players on |
| all of this is before a brawl kicks off. It is no | | | | the team. The equipment generally has more |
| wonder that there is a vast range of high quality | | | | protection for impacts from the front and the |
| ice hockey equipment that has been developed to | | | | clothing generally has little protection for a goalie's |
| secure the safety of ice hockey players. | | | | back. This is typically because the goalie is less |
| There are items of equipment available to help | | | | likely to be impacted from that direction. The |
| protect every inch of an ice hockey player and | | | | main benefit for the goaltender is that he or she |
| still enable the player to move freely around the | | | | is able to use a larger stick than other players. |
| ice hockey rink. There is also a wide range of ice | | | | The stick has a wider blade and can be a great |
| hockey equipment that is designed to help | | | | help for preventing the puck from entering the |
| improve the quality of the performance of the | | | | goal. |
| competitor. Typical performance enhancing | | | | The equipment used by regular players is |
| equipment includes items such as skates and | | | | designed to help the player cope with the needs |
| hockey sticks whilst safety gear includes helmets, | | | | of the game and maximise the performance. The |
| shoulder pads, elbow pads, mouth guards, | | | | main item of kit being the shirt that is worn over |
| protective gloves, shin pads, chest protector and | | | | the protective clothing and helps the team players |
| a neck guard. | | | | recognise team mates and opposition with ease. |
| The type of equipment that the players utilise is | | | | These shirts are usually very thin and are |
| often dependent on the position that they play | | | | supplementary to clothing that is worn underneath. |
| for the team. The kit that the goal tender wears | | | | Arguably the most important piece of kit for the |
| differs greatly from the outfield players. | | | | players is the helmet which is designed to keep |
| The main area of difference between outfield | | | | the head safe and also often includes a face cage |
| players and goal tenders is in the style of skates | | | | or visor to keep the face safe but also allow for |
| that the goaltender wears. The skates that the | | | | maximum visibility so that the wearer's site is not |
| goal tender wears are generally a lower, flatter | | | | impeded. |
| style of skates. This style of skate lends better | | | | The hockey stick that regular players use is often |
| to lateral movement and can help the goaltender | | | | thinner than that of the goaltender and it usually |
| remain steady on the ice. The role of the | | | | has a curvature that is designed to help cup the |
| goaltender is obviously very different to the role | | | | puck and subsequently flick it effectively. There |
| of a normal player and the goaltender does not | | | | are a number of sticks that are made out of |
| need to achieve speed and quick turns. | | | | composite materials but wooden sticks remain |
| The goaltender will often also wear a considerable | | | | very popular in the professional game. |