Hockey Equipment Guide for Youth & Adults

Helmet, Mouthguard & Neck Guard

No matter your age or league level, a hockey helmet is always a must. Players may wear helmets with or without a cage or facemask, but it’s important to know that youth, high school, and college leagues all require a cage or full face mask for added protection.

A mouthguard is mandatory for youth hockey players and highly recommended for all players. Even when using a cage or facemask, a mouthguard helps absorb impacts from hits or falls, keeping teeth and jaws safer during play.

For youth players, a hockey neck guard is also an essential piece of equipment. USA Hockey requires all youth players—across all age classifications except adults—to wear neck laceration protection in games and practices beginning August 1, 2024. The neck guard should fit snugly, fully covering the throat without gaps but still allowing comfortable movement. Its primary function is to shield the neck from skate blades. There are also cut-protective base layers with built-in neck guards that add an extra layer of defense while keeping players flexible and comfortable on the ice.

Wearing these three key pieces together—helmet, mouthguard, and neck guard—helps players minimize the risk of head and neck injuries.

Shoulder Pads, Elbow Pads & Gloves

As players advance and competition intensifies, aggressive hits and checking become more common, making shoulder pads a vital part of hockey equipment. Worn beneath the jersey, hockey shoulder pads shield the shoulders, chest, and back from powerful impacts and fast-moving pucks.

Similar to shoulder pads, elbow pads are worn under the jersey and are essential for every player—especially beginners learning to skate—to help prevent injuries from falls.

Hockey gloves play a key role in protecting hands from pucks, skate blades, sticks, impacts, and falls. Constructed from tough yet flexible materials, these gloves provide both protection and an excellent grip for precise stick control.

Hockey Pants, Jock/Jill & Shin Pads

For optimal mobility and protection, hockey players wear specially designed hockey pants, also known as breezers. These pants typically reach just above or at the knee and include padding and structured protection around the lower back, hips, and thighs. This design safeguards key areas while allowing players to move freely on the ice. Beneath their hockey pants, players wear a jock or jill for added support during practices and games.

Hockey shin guards are another essential piece of protective gear. Secured using hook-and-loop fasteners or sock tape, shin guards cover the kneecaps and the front of the shins. Constructed from tough plastic and cushioned padding, they help absorb impact from blocked shots or stick contact, keeping players safe throughout the game.

Hockey Skates & Socks

You can’t play hockey without a reliable pair of hockey skates, and ensuring a proper fit is essential. If you’re buying skates for a young player, it may be tempting to choose a larger size for future growth, but be mindful that most hockey skate brands fit differently than regular shoes. For men, skates typically run 1.5—2 sizes smaller than your standard shoe size, while women's skates generally run 2.5—3 sizes smaller. To protect your skate blades when you’re off the ice, don’t forget to pick up hockey skate guards.

Hockey socks are designed to be worn over shin guards to help hold them in place. However, socks alone aren’t enough to secure your shin guards. It’s a good idea to keep several rolls of hockey sock tape in your equipment bag for added security.

Hockey Stick & Equipment Bag

For scoring and defending, players need a properly sized hockey stick that matches all their preferred specifications. From the type of material to stick flex and kick point, playing with a hockey stick that’s suited to their skill level and age will help them gain better control of the puck and passing as well and make improvements to their shot. Stick tape is a hockey essential that players use to wrap their stick’s handle and blade for greater control of the puck.

With all these hockey essentials, don’t forget to round out your preseason haul with a high-quality hockey equipment bag. Designed specifically for hockey players, many of these bags feature a large main compartment, dedicated skate pockets, zippered storage for small accessories, and roller wheels.

To stay safe while blocking shots or reaching for the puck, it’s essential for players to gear up with the right hockey protective equipment. Refer to our hockey equipment checklist below when shopping online or visiting your local SCHEELS to ensure you’re ready for the upcoming season.

Hockey Equipment List

✔ Hockey Helmet

✔ Mouthguard

✔ Hockey Neck Guard

✔ Hockey Shoulder Pads

✔ Hockey Elbow Pads

✔ Hockey Gloves

✔ Hockey Jersey

✔ Hockey Pants/Breezers

✔ Jock or Jill

✔ Hockey Shin Guards

✔ Hockey Skates

✔ Hockey Skate Guards

✔ Hockey Socks

✔ Hockey Sock Tape

✔ Hockey Stick

✔ Hockey Stick Tape

✔ Hockey Equipment Bag