Gift Cards

My Account

Shopping Cart (0 Items)

Order Status Customer Service 866.929.6699

Player Fitting Guide

Hockey may be the greatest game on Earth, but it is also one of toughest. The right equipment and the right fit are critical for safety, comfort, and performance. The purpose of this fitting guide is to highlight what is important in respect to each equipment category.

First, keep in mind two basic rules of equipment:

The most important function of equipment is to protect the player from flying pucks, swinging sticks, unforgiving boards and ice, and collisions with other players.
The less equipment constrains the player’s movement, the better he/she will perform, in addition to avoiding falls, collisions, and other contact.

Second, it is important to note a few things that should not guide your purchases:

Price Alone Does Not Make it Right. Many assume that the higher the price of an item, the better the equipment is. There is a correlation, but it is not necessarily perfect. It is true that higher priced merchandise generally can incorporate lighter or stronger materials, but this is no assurance that it is right for the player.
Improper Fit Ruins Quality. A player’s protection and performance is enhanced more by proper fit than by the underlying quality of the product. While both quality and fit are important, a close fitting low-end helmet will generally protect a player better than an ill-fitting, high-end helmet. A low-end skate that provided good heel lock will outperform a high-end skate that is a size too large.
Size Does Matter. Even ignoring the specific fit of the piece of equipment, what suits a six year old does not suit a seventeen year old. As players age they skate faster, the shots get harder, and the distance to the ice gets longer. As skills rise, there are fewer accidents, but everything happens harder and faster.
All Things Are Not Created Equal. Some equipment is just more important than others. From a safety standpoint, helmets are critical at every age, whereas, for a youth player there are almost no safety reasons to choose one glove over another.

Helmets

Selecting the right helmet can sometimes be difficult because there are few noticeable performance enhancements associated with helmets. A helmet does not add speed to your skating or strength to your slap shot. However, the correct fit will make the difference between a contact sport and a possible injury. A properly sized helmet provides crucial protection against one of the most dangerous hockey injuries: a head injury.

When shopping for a helmet, a good fit is far more important than color or style. Fit is the most important factor because there is a direct correlation between a properly sized helmet and safety. You can determine your helmet size by measuring the circumference of your head about ½ - 1” above your eyebrow. This measurement also correlates to your hat size. Please note this is an approximation and sizing will vary slightly among manufacturers.

Make sure the helmet fits snugly on the head. Depending on the size and shape of your head, some brands and styles fit better than others. A properly fitting helmet sits flat on the head and is about ½ inch above your eyebrows, without tilting forward or back. Adjust the chin strap so that it fits firmly under the chin. You want the helmet to fit snug enough so that it doesn’t shift, but not to the point of where it feels uncomfortable. If you feel pressure or pinching, the helmet is too small. Please note that most helmets today feature tool-free clips that allow quick and easy adjustments that not only ensure a custom fit, but also allow room to grow.

Remember to make sure the helmet fits properly and provides the comfort and protection the player needs. The extra few dollars is well worth it. If your helmet becomes dented or cracked, replace it immediately. It is also important to maintain the HECC stickers on the helmet. In the event that you would need to replace the helmet, the warranty would be void if the stickers were removed.

Facial

All youth through college level players are required to wear a face mask. There are three types to choose from: wire cage, face shield and combination masks. At minimum, all three options offer protection for the top half of the face (Youth through college players are required to wear full facial protection—wire cage, full shield or combination mask; junior hockey players have the option to wear a half shield). Personal preference guides which mask a player chooses.

A wire cage covers the entire face and jaw area. The mask should fit snugly against the chin. If the mask is too long, it is possible that the nose and mouth will come in contact with the mask on impact. When the player’s mouth is closed, the chin should fit comfortably into the chin cup. To ensure the mask is attached properly to the helmet, follow the specific manufacturer instructions you received with the facemask. Wire cages provide more protection and do not fog up like face shields, but they are also generally heavier.
Face shields are made of a high impact-resistant clear plastic and come in either full shield or half shield. Half shields generally cover the face to just below the nose, leaving the bottom half of the face unprotected. Some players prefer shields instead of wire cages because shields offer better overall vision since no wires are in the way. Shields do, however, tend to fog up during use. Most shields today are made with fog-resistant coating. If you still experience fogging, try using a de-fogging spray or wipe.
The combination mask combines the best of both designs: a plastic face shield to protect the eyes and upper part of the face and a wire cage to cover the lower half of the face and to add ventilation.

Sticks

Selecting the “perfect” stick can be somewhat complex if you don’t know what you are looking for. There are five key things to consider when purchasing a stick: length, flex, blade pattern, lie and composition.

Length. Length is generally the easiest to determine, but imperative for a player’s success in the game. Sticks usually come in four sizes: senior, intermediate, junior and youth. Each size normally reflects a smaller shaft circumference and a softer flex. Senior sticks are usually used by players ages 14 and up; intermediate for ages 10-15; junior for ages 7 to 12; and Youth for players ages 4-8. Adult women generally use intermediate or flexible senior sticks.

Determining your personal stick length is relatively easy. Standing without your skates on, place the toe of the stick on the ground between your feet and position the stick vertically against your body so that the stick comes to about your nose. If the stick is too long, simply make a mark where it touches your nose, and cut the handle of the stick accordingly. If you have your skates on, the stick should come up to your chin. Please note that this is a general rule of thumb and can change with personal preference. In addition to cutting sticks to your desired length, you can also extend a stick’s length by inserting an end plug at the top of the shaft. This can be used to lengthen the life of a stick and get maximum use if the player cut the stick too short or experiences a growth spurt.

Flex. The first thing many players do when they pick up a new stick is bend it. Why? Because they are testing out the “flex” or flexibility of the stick. A good fit is a stick that allows the player to bend the shaft a little, but without much effort. A stiff stick shaft lessens shot accuracy and puck speed and does not provide a good feel for the puck. Most players prefer flexible and light shafts that allow for optimal passing and shooting. Most stick manufacturers offer a variety of flexes. The higher the flex number, the stiffer the stick. Regardless of age, the correct flex for the player should allow him/her to bend the shaft when they take a wrist shot or slap shot.

Different manufacturers have different systems for measuring flex ratings, but most conform to this method: the flex is a measure of the amount of weight required to bend a stick 4 inches when suspended between two support points that are 48 inches apart. For example, an 85 Flex stick requires 85 pounds to be applied at the center point between two support points to flex the stick 4 inches.

Bauer

42 – Youth

52 – Junior

67 – Intermediate

77 – Senior

87 – Senior

102 – Senior

112 – Senior

Easton

40 – Youth

50 – Junior

65 – Intermediate

75 – Senior

85 – Senior

100 – Senior

110 – Senior

CCM/Reebok

50 – Junior

65 – Intermediate

75 – Senior

85 – Senior

100 – Senior

Warrior

50 – Junior

65 – Intermediate

70 – Intermediate

75 – Senior

85 – Senior

95 – Senior

100 – Senior

110 – Senior

Generally, the larger and stronger a player, the stiffer stick he/she can use. It is imperative that the player is able to flex the stick a fair amount in order to maximize shot velocity. However, if a stick is too flexible, the shaft can break or the blade of the stick could deform when shooting, resulting in a less accurate shot.

It is important to remember that the stiffness of the stick is NOT linked to durability. An 87 flex stick is not more likely to break than a 110 flex stick. Durability is mostly a function of the materials, the consistency of the walls of the stick and the weight and thickness of the materials.

Blade Pattern. Blades come in a myriad of patterns. Many manufacturers share similar patterns; however, some may have slight variations. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is not a correlation between the blade pattern an NHL player actually uses and the retail patterns. So when you see a stick named Crosby, he simply endorses that stick for Reebok. He does not necessarily use that pattern.

Lie. The lie, or blade, of a stick is a classification of the angle that the stick shaft would take when the bottom of the blade is sitting flat on the ice. When purchasing a stick, the lie is part of the pattern, meaning that players tend to select sticks based on patterns they prefer. The more upright a stick is, the higher the lie number. Normally, stick lies range from 4.0 to 6.0 in half increments. Most sticks have a 4.5, 5.0 or 5.5 lie.

Composition. There are three composition types: wood, composite and stick/shaft combination. Each composition has advantages and disadvantages.

The wood stick has a natural feel and is relatively inexpensive. However, it is less responsive than other sticks, water absorption can be problematic, the stick does not have a warranty, curves and flexes vary from stick to stick, and degradation occurs over time.
The composite stick, on the other hand, is responsive, has a consistency of flexes and curves among the sticks, maintains the flex and shape over time and has a warranty that generally lasts for 30 days. The downside of a composite stick is that it is expensive and the blade can be less forgiving when it comes to receiving passes.
Stick/shaft combinations are somewhat responsive, allow more variations for different shafts and blades, and can easily replace a broken blade. On the flipside, stick/shaft combinations are moderately expensive, have a slightly different kick point (flexion zone) than wood or one-piece sticks and come with a warranty on the shafts only.

Gloves

When selecting a glove, personal preference often comes into play. Some players prefer a looser fit, while others prefer a snug glove. Regardless, there are some safety considerations of the hand and forearm to be taken into account for sizing. To determine the correct size glove, measure from your finger tips to the end of your elbow pad (i.e. if this distance measures 13.7”, a 14” glove is the proper size glove). If your fingers touch the end of the glove, it is too small. The cuff of the glove should extend to the bottom of your elbow pads, leaving no part of your lower arm exposed. If you prefer a shorter cuff, you may consider wearing protective wrist guards in the uncovered area. Also, a player seeking more protection should look for plastic inserts for extra protection.

Ice Skates

Skates are an extremely important aspect of the game in terms of player performance. If a skate is not properly sized or is uncomfortable, it is more likely the player will experience blisters, damage the boot support, or even worse: start to dislike playing the game. To avoid that, this is what you need to know to correctly size your skates.

It is crucial that you have skates with good stability and strong ankle support. A solid exterior is vital to protecting your feet from the puck and other skates. Typically, you want a skate that is 1 to 1 ½ size smaller than your shoe size.

When trying on a skate, wear socks similar to ones that you will wear while skating. After putting on the skate, press your foot forward as far as possible so that your toes press against the front of the skate. For kid’s sizes, you should be able to place one finger between the inside of the boot and the heel of your foot. This is simply to allow some room for growth. (Adult skates are made to mold to the foot so this extra space is not necessary.) After that, sit down and kick your heel firmly into the back of the boot; your big toe should barely brush the toe cap. Firmly tighten the laces through the first 2-3 eyelets until the skate is snug near the toe. Remember to keep your foot placed flat on the ground while lacing the skate.

After lacing up the skate, make sure you walk around (with your skate guards, of course!) to test the comfort level of the skate. Remember, it takes a few wears to break them in! It is also important to have your blades sharpened regularly—about every 6-8 hours of practice or game time is ideal.

Bauer, CCM and Easton hockey skates normally fit 1 to 1 ½ sizes smaller than your shoe size. For children, it is acceptable to order a half size bigger to accommodate growing feet; however, any larger will cause blisters to form and will break down the sides of the boot.

So here are a few important things to remember when fitting a skate:

Does your heel move? There should not be any movement or lifting with your heel. If your heel does move, it will take away from your performance.

The skate should be very snug for proper support to enable a good push-off without any movement.

And finally, it takes a few wears to break in a new pair of skates! Heat fitting is another option that helps expedite the break-in process.

Heat Fitting is a process in which skates are baked in a special oven to achieve a more perfect fit. This process helps round out the stiff sides and upper part of the boot, conforming to the shape of the player’s foot. Heat fitting shortens the break-in period by about half the time.

Inline Skates

Generally inline skates are sized a little differently, but there are some variations among manufacturers. Most inline manufacturers size their skates so they are closer to the player’s actual shoe size—usually about zero to one size smaller than his/her shoe size. You should follow the same fitting procedure for inline skates as you do for ice hockey skates.

Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads are relatively easy to size, but it is imperative that they fit correctly in order to ensure proper protection of your collarbone, upper chest, back, upper arms and shoulders. To determine the correct size, make sure the center of the shoulders line up directly with the center of the shoulder caps. Measure the circumference of your chest just below the armpits. All shoulder pads will have a corresponding size based on this measurement. Most shoulder pads also have adjustable straps in other areas of the pads; this adjustable fit is acceptable as long as the shoulders and shoulder cups line up correctly.

Elbow Pads

Elbow pads protect the arm from the bicep extension of the shoulder pads to the cuff of the gloves, leaving no part of the arm exposed. Players should look for a good range of motion in elbow pads. The elbow should fit comfortably in the center of the cup and should not twist or slide on the arm. Also, look for a pad that provides forearm protection. The end of the elbow pad should meet the cuff of the glove. Elbow pads come in small, medium and large and are sized based on height.

Size	Height
Youth	up to 4 ft. 0 in.
XXS	4 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 10 in.
XS	4 ft. 10 in. - 5 ft. 6 in.
S	5 ft. 4 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
M	5 ft. 8 in. - 6 ft. 4 in.
L	6 ft. 0 in. +

Shin Guards

Shin guards are designed to protect the lower leg and knee from contact with pucks, sticks and collisions. Choosing a good shin guard is essential in proper leg and knee protection. To determine your size, measure the length of the shin when your leg is bent at a 90 degree angle from the center of the knee cap to the top of the boot of the skate.

A proper fit enables the knee to sit directly in the center of the kneecap. The length of the shin guard should extend the entire length of the leg, touching the top of the skate. If the shin guard is too long, the skate will push it up; however, a correctly sized shin guard fits comfortably under the skate tongue without shifting, although some players prefer to wear the shin guard over the tongue.

Look for a shin guard that has frontal protection, as well as protects the back of the leg. Make sure to test out the straps of the shinguard to ensure a tight enough hold to keep the pad in place.

Pants

Begin sizing pants based on your waist size:

X-Small: 28”–30”

Small: 30”–32”

Medium: 32”–34”

Large: 34”–36”

X-Large: 36”–38”

Personal preference determines how loose or tight the pants are worn, but make sure they are not so loose that they shift out of position. Most pants come equipped with a belt to secure the pants firmly at the waist. Determine the appropriate length of the pant based on the knee. For proper protection, the pants should be long enough so that it covers the knee when you bend. Above the waist, the pants should extend to the lower rib cage and the bottom of the shoulder pads. In addition, look for pants that offer front and backside padding.

Undergarments

Undergarments should be light, cool and comfortable. Players can choose between a loose- and tight-fit for both upper body and lower body undergarments. Selection comes down to personal preference. Garments that are 50/50 cotton/polyester blend offer maximum ventilation and comfort. When fitting all other hockey equipment, the same undergarments should be worn to ensure proper sizing. The jock strap should be fitted according to waist size and should feel comfortable to the player. If any strap or fabric gets torn, it should be repaired or replaced immediately.

Socks

Skate socks. Hockey socks are sized by shoe size. Try a few different styles until you find one you prefer. A variety of material blends are available so choose one that offers you comfort, warmth and moisture absorbing abilities.

Player socks. Player socks are worn over the shin guards. There are three lengths: Youth, Junior and Senior.