Helmet

Hockey helmets offer great protection to the players. They come in various sizes and are made of vinyl nitrile, which is a durable material and can absorb the impact of hits, sticks, skates and falls on the ice hockey rink. Helmets are mandatory in ice hockey and today the newer helmets also come with a visor or a shield that can protect the upper half of the face. Goalies also wear a device called the face cage which offers full frontal face protection.

Neck guard

Neck guards help prevent injury from skates, sticks and pucks to the neck and throat area. Neck guards are required to be worn by both players and goalies.

Shoulder pad

Shoulder pads are made of extremely hard material and greatly protect the player’s upper body, including the collar bone, upper arms, upper chest and back from injury. Shoulder pads are broad and rigid but do not hinder movements of the upper body.

Elbow pad

Elbow pads are vital for all players as they cover the elbow joint and part of the upper and lower arms. Some elbow pads have extensions that can cover the entire upper arm. The majority of elbow pads are adjustable and secured with Velcro straps.

Hockey glove

Hockey gloves are constructed with a very thin palm and fingers while providing substantially more padding to the outside of the hands; they also help to reinforce the thumb to prevent it bending backwards.

Hockey pant

Hockey pants are incorporated with the thigh, pelvic, hip and tailbone pads and are usually held up by a belt or suspenders.

Jockstrap (or ladies' pelvic protector)

Jockstrap is designed to protect the genitals. It easily fits into a strap or some type of sports support. Some jock straps come with inbuilt garter belts so that one can wear long socks at the same time.

Shin guard

Shin guards help to protect the knee joint and the frontal bones of the leg. It is essential to buy proper shin guards. If a shin guard is too long it will slip down into the skate and prevent proper movement of the ankle; if it does not fit perfectly at the knee joint, then the patella will not be properly protected and lead to injury.

Mouthguard

Mouthguard protects players’ oral cavity and help to soften blows to the face and prevent jaw fractures.

Ice skate

Unlike figure skates, ice hockey skates have a rounded heel and no toe picks as these can be dangerous in a "pile-up" and they incorporate a rigid shell, and they are often reinforced with metal mesh to prevent a skate blade cutting through. The essential component of any skate is the interior boot, exterior holder and the attachable blade. Many skates also come with pads which provide protection to the ankle joint and toes.

Hockey stick

Hockey sticks are made of wood or composite materials. Hockey sticks come in various styles and lengths. Stick dimensions vary based on the build of the player. The best ice hockey sticks are made from graphite and are manufactured with precise flex patterns that allows for more accuracy and power when hitting the puck.

Goal stick

Goal stick incorporates a larger blade than player sticks as well as a widened flat shaft. Mostly used to block but the goalie can play the puck with it. Blade may be curved to help play the puck.

Goal skate

Goal skates have thicker blade with a larger blade radius and less ankle support allows a goalie to slide off his skates to make "pad stops" more easily. The boot is closer to the ice surface than a regular hockey skate to prevent pucks from slipping through the area between boot and skate blade.

Goalie mask (or helmet and wire facemask)

Goalie masks are fitted to the player's face and can withstand multiple high-speed impacts from pucks. Most leagues now require goalies to hang a throat protector and/or wear a neck pad to protect against pucks and skate blades.

Chest and arm protector

Chest and arm protectors are thickly padded in the front than a player's shoulder pads, also incorporating forearm, elbow and biceps protection. Very little spine/back protection to save on weight and prevent heat buildup.

Blocker

It is worn on the hand that holds the stick. It is a glove with a rectangular pad on the back, used to deflect shots.

Catch glove

It is worn on the opposite hand, used to gather up the puck on the ice or catch a flying shot.

Goal pants

Goal pants incorporate thicker thigh padding and additional pelvic/hip protection, but reduced groin protection (this is mitigated by the jock and allows for increased flexibility).

Goal pads

Goal pads are thickly-padded leg pads covering the top of the skate, the player's shin and the knees. Pads are 11" or 12" wide (recent NHL rule changes reduced the width of the pads) and sized to fit the individual player's legs. Most shots are blocked by some method of "pad stop".