Shopping made easy:
We created our shopping guide as a way to make your hockey life easier. Below you will find fitting guides, product guides and a hand picked selection of Learn To Play goalie equipment so you only see the most relevant results.
We will begin with helmets and walk you step-by-step through the essential equipment needs. Each step along the way has categorical descriptions, sizing charts and videos to help your selection.
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High quality LTP Goalie Equipment is available online at any time through our shopping guide. The checklist below covers everything you’ll need and then some, and it was designed with young goalies ages 10 & under in mind. Goalies older than 10 years should consider getting everything on the "non-essentials" list due to the velocity of the shots that older kids, young adults, and adults will face. If you feel more comfortable though, please consult with your local organization’s requirements for a more exact list.
You can also inquire with your organization as to if they offer loaner equipment. Many times items like goalie leg pads, gloves and chest & arm protectors can be rented for the entire session with minimal deposit.
- Helmet with cage
- Neck & Clavicle Protector, Lexan Throat Guard
- Chest & Arm Protector
- Goalie Catch Glove
- Goalie Blocker
- Player pants
- Garter Belt
- Hockey Socks
- Cup/Supporter
- Knee/Thigh Protectors
- Goalie Leg Pads
- Ice Skates
- Goalie Stick
- Equipment Bag
- Practice Jerseys (light & dark)
- Tape
- Mouthguard
- Goalie Mask w/ Certified Cage
- Goalie Pants
- Goalie Jock/Jill
- Goalie Skates
More often than not, most players who decide to play goalie start out by playing forward or defense first. With that in mind, the product list below assumes that these players already have some of the gear listed in the "Essentials" list (helmet, pants, skates and a protective cup) and will not need help choosing those items. Instead, we've substituted those essential items for those in the "Not Necessary, but Helpful to Have" list.
If, however, you do need help choosing crossover LTP player gear (helmet, pants, skates and a protective cup) that your child can use both for playing forward and playing goalie, please consult the LTP player gear site found on the Total Hockey site.
Goalie helmets differ from player helmets in the following ways:
- They are made of fiberglass or Lexan, which are both stronger than the plastic found in player helmets.
- They have no "flat spots" in the forehead and chin. Due to this design, pucks rarely impact the mask straight on, reducing the pressure of impact and keeping the goalie's head more safe.
- They are designed to provide more coverage to teh chin, neck and the side of the head.
Though goalie masks cannot be adjusted length-wise as player helmets can, micro adjustments can always be made by tightening or loosening the five elastic harness straps that keep the mask tight to the head, as well as the length and position of the chin cup. Due to the masks' lack of macro-adjustment capabilities, it is important to choose a model that fits the goalie's head properly.
As a general rule, the top of the mask should sit just above the eyebrows, and the sides of the mask should sit snugly against the sides of the goalie's face without squishing the cheeks inward. If the mask fits properly, it should not move on the goalie's head when he or she moves the head up and down or side to side. See the video below for more detailed fitting and sizing information.
To learn more about how goalie masks differ from one model and style to another, please visit our detailed
GOALIE MASK FITTING GUIDE.
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SIZE
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BAUER NME 3
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CCM 7000
|
|
YOUTH
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19.0" - 20.9"
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18 7/8" - 20 7/8"
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JUNIOR
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20 3/8” – 22 3/8”
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20 7/8” – 22 7/8"”
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Goalie Neck & Throat protectors are designed to provide impact and cut protection to the neck itself, and they also have extra padding that protects the base of the neck and the collarbone as well. They are worn underneath the Chest & Arm protector to help keep them from riding up the goalie's neck as he/she moves.
Goalie Neck & Throat protectors are typically made of plastics, HD foams, and cut resistant materials - especially on the neck collar.
To properly size, measure the circumference of the neck around the adam's apple area, then check the sizing chart below to find the correct fit. Keep in mind that the neck collars on each model vary in height somewhat, and this variation will affect the overall fit and comfort of the unit. The goal should be to get the tallest collar that the goalie can wear comfortably, as this will provide the most protection.
In addition to the Neck & Throat protectors listed here, it's a good idea to also purchase a Lexan Throat Protector that attaches to the goalie mask itself. This way, the goalie's neck is double covered to insure the best possible protection.
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SIZE
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BAUER SUPREME
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CCM
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VAUGHN 1000i
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|
Junior
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10" - 12.5"
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10" - 12"
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10” – 12.5”
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Goalie Chest & Arm Protectors are designed to protect the goalie's belly, chest, shoulders, collarbone, and arms. The are put on and worn like a sweatshirt, and they should fit comfortably without limiting the goalie's range of movement.
Chest & Arm Protectors consist of protective plastic and multi-density foam pads of differing sizes and shapes. The largest of these pads are often made of high-density foams and plastics to protect the shoulder, collarbone, ribs and elbows, and they are also made to be large to provide both protection and extra net coverage.
To properly size a Chest & Arm Protector, measure the goalie's wingspan (fingertip to fingertip using a tape measurer), as well as the goalie's height in inches. If you have the option of having the player fitted, you want to make sure that the arm padding ends at the wrist area (where the goalie would wear a watch), and the belly padding should end at the goalie's belt line. The elbows should also fit securely within the elbow caps. See the video below for more detailed fitting and sizing information.
Things to consider when choosing a Chest & Arm Protector are (1) how bulky the padding is (the shoulder and arm padding differs from model to model), (2) if the unit has adjustable arms or not (for growth), and (3) the availability, type and location of the adjustment straps. For more information, please see our detailed
CHEST & ARM PROTECTOR FITTING GUIDE
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SIZE
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BAUER PRODGY 2.0
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WARRIOR RITUAL
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VAUGHN 700
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CCM CL 500
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|
|
Height
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Height
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Height
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Height
|
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Small / Medium
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3'3" - 4'1"
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3'3" - 4'1"
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4'0" - 4'5"
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3'3" - 4'1"
|
|
Large / XL
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3'9" - 4'7"
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3'9" - 4'7"
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4'6" - 4'9"
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N/A
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Goalie Catch Gloves are designed to both catch the puck and also protect the goalie's wrist and backhand when the goalie takes a shot or covers the puck on the ice. They can be worn on either the left ("regular") hand or the right ("full right") hand.
Catch Gloves are made of a synthetic leather catching surface that is approximately the size of a second baseman's baseball mitt, a rectangular "blocking cuff" made of plastic and foam, a multi-density backhand pad, and 3-5 adjustment straps to keep the glove on the goalie's hand.
As a general rule of thumb, the catch glove should be sized more like the afore-mentioned second baseman's mitt rather than an outfielder's mitt. In other words, bigger is not always better. The goalie should be able to wrap his or her hand around the creased "break" in the glove with the fingers no more than 1/4" from the top of the internal finger stalls. This way, the goalie will have enough leverage to properly close the glove after it has been broken in.
To determine the correct catch glove size, measure from the base of the goalie's palm to the tip of the goalie's middle finger. Then, consult the sizing chart below and find the proper size. For more information on fitting Goalie Catch Gloves, visit our detailed
CATCH GLOVE FITTING GUIDE.
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SIZE
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YOUTH
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JUNIOR
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INTERMEDIATE
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SENIOR
|
|
Inches
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4 3/4" - 5 5/8"
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5 5/8" - 6 1/4"
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6 1/4" - 7"
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7" - 8 3/8"
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|
CM
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119 - 143
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144 - 160
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161 - 178
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179 - 213
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Goalie Blockers are designed to deflect shots away from the net, and also hold the goalie stick. The can be worn on the right ("regular") hand or the left ("full right") hand.
Goalie Blockers feature a synthetic leather, foam and plastic blocking board and side hand shield, a protective wrist cuff, and plastic and foam finger and thumb protectors. The blocking board varies in length and width depending on the size category (Youth, Junior, Intermediate and Senior), as well as board thickness.
As a general rule of thumb, a blocker fits properly when the fingers are no more than 1/4" from the top of the finger stalls on the palm of the glove. This way, the goalie will be able to securely grip and control the goalie stick without having the extra material of the finger stalls get in the way.
To determine the correct Goalie Blocker size, measure from the base of the goalie's palm to the tip of the goalie's middle finger. Then, consult the sizing chart below to find the proper size. For more information on fitting goalie blockers, visit our detailed
BLOCKER FITTING GUIDE.
A smart key to look for when shopping is if there is sufficient hip and tail bone padding. This will ensure your youngster stays protected while learning the fundamentals of hockey.
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SIZE
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YOUTH
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JUNIOR
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INTERMEDIATE
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SENIOR
|
|
Inches
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4 3/4" - 5 5/8"
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5 5/8" - 6 1/4"
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6 1/4" - 7"
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7" - 8 3/8"
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CM
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119 - 143
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144 - 160
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161 - 178
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179 - 213
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Goalie Pants provide protection to the goalie's lower back to the upper knee, with the beefiest protection on the tailbone, hip bones, thighs and upper waist. Goalie pants differ from player pants in that they offer more substantial protection to the "puck facing" areas (thigh, groin, waist), and they are wider than player pants so that they can cover more of the net.
Construction generally consists of a nylon shell, foam padding with plastic inserts for impact protection, a soft inner liner, and a nylon webbing belt to keep the pants tight to the goalie's waist.
To ensure a proper fit, make sure to measure at the goalie's waist and not hips - goalie pants are worn higher than regular pants so make sure that you're measuring at the true waist.
Next up is the length. The bottoms of the pant legs should rest just above the knee caps when standing. This way, the pant leg will not ride up too high as the goalie strides or moves, and the thigh guard will remain in the proper place.
Goalie pants are worn in tandem with the goalie's chest and arm protector, and care should be taken when purchasing to make sure that the two pieces of gear will work well together. To learn more about Goalie Pant fitting, please visit our detailed
GOALIE PANTS FITTING GUIDE.
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SIZE
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BAUER PRODIGY
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CCM CL 500
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VAUGHN 800
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|
Small / Medium
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20" - 22"
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18" - 20"
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20” – 24”
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|
Large / XL
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22" - 24"
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20" - 22"
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24” – 28”
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Goalie Jocks (boys) & Jills (girls) serve to protect both the groin and the bladder areas. They are typically made of plastic and multi-density foams, with wide, adjustable elastic straps that go around the legs and the waist.
Goalie Jocks & Jills differ from player cups in that they are much wider, the cover more of the groin and lower belly, and they offer a great deal more protection. We highly recommend that all new goalies get a goalie specific jock or jill when starting out.
Goalie Jocks & Jills are typically classified into three sizes - Junior, Intermediate and Senior - though each size category covers a wide range of waist sizes. To find the size that's right for you, please consult the sizing chart below, or the sizing chart on each product page. Keep in mind that the elastic waist and leg bands on each model are adjustable, so you can adjust the jock or jill to fit snugly even if your goalie is at the lower end of the size ranges listed below.
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SIZE
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CCM
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VAUGHN 1000i
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WARRIOR RITUAL
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BRIAN'S B-STAR JILLER (Girls)
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Inches
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22" - 26"
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20" - 31"
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20" - 26"
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18" - 26"
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Though it may seem odd at first to wear separate knee and thigh protectors under the larger leg pads and goalie pants, believe us when we say that they are essential pieces of equipment. Oftentimes, a goalie's lower thigh & upper knee are exposed when he/she goes down on the ice - the pants "ride up" and the leg pads are either flat on the ice or off to the sides of the leg. Goalie Knee & Thigh Protectors cover this gap in padding, and they also have the added benefit of filling some space between the goalie's legs when he/she goes into the butterfly position.
Made of plastic and multi-density foams, today's Goalie Knee and Thigh Protectors have several elastic and velcro adjustment straps to keep the pads snug on the legs. Several models also feature separate, segmented pads to allow the knee joint to flex easily without "pulling" the thigh padding down and out of position.
When fitting Goalie Knee and Thigh Protectors, the first step is to secure the knee snugly into the knee padding. Then, attach the velco & elastic straps so that they are snug, but not so tight that they hinder mobility or cut off circulation to the goalie's leg. When fit properly, the top of the pad should sit halfway between the goalie's kneecap and the hip on the goalie's thigh. The knee padding should completely cover the goalie's knee, with the bottom of the pad ending just below the kneecap at the top of the goalie's shin.
Leg Pads are arguably the most important piece of equipment in the goalie's bag. Not only do they provide protection and "landing gear" for the goalie's feet, legs and knees, but they are also the largest piece of blocking equipment that the goalie uses.
Goalie Leg Pads are made of several, layered sheets of foam of varying densities, synthetic leather, and nylon. In addition to the "puck facing" protection on the face of the pads, today's models also have thicker, padded blocks on the inside edge of the pad that provide knee and shin protection as the goalie goes down into the butterfly position. They are held on to the goalie's legs using either leather or nylon webbing straps, though many of the new models have started using thicker elastic and velcro straps only.
Modern leg pad sizing combines older pad height measurements with current "plus sizing" to determine an overall size. This new measurement system was initiated several years ago when extra height began to be added to the tops of regularly sized leg pads in order to cover more space between the legs when the goalie went down into the butterfly position. For example, a 22 inch leg pad with 1 inch of extra height added to the top of the pad is now called a 22" + 1" leg pad. The first measurement now describes how the pad will fit in relationship to the goalie's knee, and the "plus sizing" describes how much extra material has been added to the top of the leg pad.
Though there are formulas out there to determine the best pad size for your goalie, Youth and Junior sized goalie pads can actually be fit fairly easily. Simply take the goalie's overall height, then divide that number by two. So, if the goalie measures 44 inches in height, the correct pad size for him/her would be 22". Though this isn't a foolproof method due to the different ways that manufacturers build their pads, it is fairly reliable.
Intermediate and Senior sized goalies should follow the manufacturers guidelines and use the recommended "Ankle to Knee" or "Floor to Knee" sizing guidelines. An explanation of these terms, along with more detailed Leg Pad information can be found by checking out our
GOALIE LEG PADS FITTING GUIDE.
Goalie skates are designed differently than player skates so that they provide more protection to the goalie's foot, and also so that they cater to the unique movements of the goalie. For example:
- Goalie Skates have a plastic protective cowling around the boot of the skates. The cowling provides additional protection to the toes, the heel and the inside of the foot, and it also holds the skate blade as well.
- The Goalie Skate blade itself is wider from the inside edge to the outside edge. This acts to provide a more stable skating platform, and it also keeps the blade from cracking when it is impacted by the puck or the net posts.
- The Goalie Skate blade is longer from the toe to the heel, and it also has a longer blade radius. This longer radius keeps more of the blade on the ice at any one time when compared to a player skate.
- Goalie Skate boots do not have an extended Achilles tendon guard on the back of the heel and the lower calf. This allows for a greater range of motion for the goalie's ankle.
Goalie Skates and player skates are sized in exactly the same way. Typically, your foot will fit in a skate that is 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your shoe size. For children, it is acceptable to order a half size bigger than a "perfect fit" to accommodate growing feet; however, any larger and the goalie's foot will move in the boot causing blisters and pain. Also, a skate that is too large will affect the goalie's mobility and balance.
When trying on a skate, wear socks similar to the ones that you will wear while playing. After putting the skate on, press your foot forward as far as possible so that your toes press against the front of the skate. Next, stand up and flex your knee forward so that you are in a skating position. When in this position, you should be able to place one finger between the inside of the boot and the heel of your foot. If you can put more than a finger's width between the boot and the heel, then the skate is too big. If you can't place a finger's width between the heel and the boot, then the skate is too small.
Once you have confirmed the correct size, sit down and kick your heel downward so that it slides firmly into the back of the boot. Then, lace the boot so that it is snug over the forefoot and slightly tighter over the 2-3 eyelets at the top of the boot. Once the boot is snug, walk around to test the comfort level of the skate. Make sure that there are no excessive pressure points, and that the goalie's foot does not slide around inside the boot.
Though the skates should not be painful at first, they may seem stiff or slightly uncomfortable for the first skate or two. However, the skates should feel much better after they have softened up somewhat as the goalie "breaks them in".
To learn more about goalie skates, including information about advanced fitting and sharpening guidelines, please visit our
GOALIE SKATES FITTING GUIDE.
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Youth Shoe Size
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Youth Skate Size
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|
7.0
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5.5 - 6.0
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8.0
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6.5 - 7.0
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|
9.0
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7.5 - 8.0
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|
10.0
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8.5 - 9.0
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|
11.0
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9.5 - 10.0
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|
12.0
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10.5 - 11.0
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13.0
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11.5 - 12.0
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|
1.0 Junior
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12.5 - 13.0
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Goalie Sticks serve two functions for the modern goaltender. First, their wide design at the paddle (the wide part of the stick between the thinner handle and the stick blade) and the blade provide a good sized blocking surface. Second, the stick is used to pass the puck to teammates or shoot it out of harms way. While new goalies may have a tough time doing either at first, it is essential that the goalie finds a stick that is sized properly in order to maximize it's performance.
Goalie Sticks are typically classified into four different sizes - Youth, Junior, Intermediate and Senior - and each size category covers a wide range of stick sizes. These stick sizes are measured in inches, and this measurement always describes the length of the paddle from the point where it meets the thin, rectangular handle of the stick to a point at the bottom of the stick blade. The smaller the length in inches, the shorter the paddle of the stick will be. As a point of reference, Youth sticks typically measure between 18" - 20.5", Junior sticks typically measure between 21" - 23", Intermediate sticks typically measure between 23.5" - 24.5", and Senior sticks typically start at 25" and higher.
Unlike player sticks, the overall length of the stick is far less important than paddle size when determining the proper size for your goaltender. Due to the way that goalie holds the stick is her/her active position (called the goalie's "stance"), the length of the paddle determines the position of both the goalie's blocker and the position of the stick blade on the ice. For example, a paddle that is too short for the goalie will put his blocker directly over the leg pad (which reduces the goalie's overall blocking surface) and it also lifts the heel of the stick off of the ice. Conversely, a paddle that is too long will put the blocker far outside of a natural blocking position, and it also lifts the toe of the stick off of the ice. As you've undoubtedly guessed, a properly fit stick will put the goalie blocker just to the side of the leg pad, and it will keep the full blade on the ice when in the stance.
Another attribute to keep in mind is the curve of the goalie blade, which is determined by the hand that the goalie holds the stick in. Goalies who hold the stick in the right hand (also called the "Regular" hand) use sticks with a shooter's left handed blade curve. Goalie's who hold the stick in the left hand (also called "Full Right") use sticks with a shooter's right handed blade curve.
To properly fit a goalie stick, have the goalie put his/her skates on and try a few different sizes while standing is his or her normal "stance" (knees bent 45 degrees, hands in front of the body with the stick blade approximately 12 inches in front of the skates). Then, check the position of the hand in relation to the leg to make sure that it would be just outside of a goalie leg pad. Next, check to make sure that the stick blade is flat on the ice. Keep in mind that goalie stick fitting is inherently an imperfect process at first, and it may take the goalie a few tries to find the proper size.
The sizing chart below is designed to give you a very general size guideline for different ages and heights. It is by no means a definitive guide, but it should help the new goalie figure out a good starting point when purchasing his/her first stick. If you would like more detailed information on goalie sticks - including information on the types of sticks available, blade curves, stick lies, and more, please visit our
GOALIE STICK FITTING GUIDE.
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SIZE
|
PADDLE LENGTH
|
HEIGHT
|
AGE
|
|
Senior
|
25" & Higher
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5'5" & Taller
|
14 & Older
|
|
Intermediate
|
23.5" -24.5"
|
4'6" - 5'4"
|
11-16
|
|
Junior
|
21" - 23"
|
3'9" - 4'9"
|
6-12
|
|
Youth
|
18" - 20.5"
|
Up to 4'
|
Up to 7
|
GARTER BELT
The garter belt is designed to hold the hockey sucks up, and nothing more. Though there are jock & athletic shorts combination units on the market that have velco tabs which also hold socks in place, none of those units are designed specifically for goaltenders. If you're at the point where you're using a goalie jock and you prefer to wear hockey socks, then a garter belt will be necessary.
Garter belts are made of elastic, and they come in two sizes - Junior (fits waist sizes 22" - 30") and Senior (fits waist sizes 30" - 42").
PANT SUSPENDERS
The pant suspenders hold the goalie pants up on the goalie's body. As we discuss in the Chest & Arm Protector section of this page, we recommend that new goalies wear the belly pad of the chest & arm protector inside of the goalie pants. Because the exterior belts on the pants will limit the goalie's movement if used, we recommend using pants suspenders to keep the pants up.
MOUTH GUARD
The mouth guard protects the player’s mouth and jaw from impact. It helps protect the player from falls on the ice and keeps the teeth from impacting other teeth. Additionally, the mouth guard keeps the jaw properly aligned and eliminates grinding during play.
Most of the time, the mouth guard will be heated up and molded to the player’s mouth for a custom fit.
In nearly all youth leagues and programs, mouth guards are a required piece of equipment, even for goaltenders.