How to Play Hockey and Keep Your Smile

Hockey players have been complaining about the game’s violence for years. It’s just with no teeth no one can understand them. Terrible joke I know, but that is the perception that many have about hockey. It’s violent and all the players have no teeth.

In reality hockey is a great game that with the right equipment and training can be played safely.

Before You Hit the Ice

Playing hockey requires training and special equipment so even before you hit the ice make sure participants know how to ice skate forward and backward. Many ice rinks offer pre-hockey skating classes to teach the fundamentals.

Hockey requires a lot of protective equipment but let’s start with the basics – ice skates.

Hockey skates are different than figure skates. Most people start ice skating in figure skates since that is what is common in most rental places. Here are a few differences between the two.

Figure Skates:

Blades have toe picks which allow a person to jump and spin

The blade is longer and heavier and is often separately mounted onto the boot

The boot is made out of leather

Hockey Skates:

Have a shorter, lighter blade that allows for speed and quick stops

The boot is more comfortable than a figure skate boot

The blade is usually soldered directly onto the boot

There is no toe pick on the blade

Other necessary safety equipment includes:

• Helmet
• Mouth guard
• Face shield
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Gloves
• Jersey
• Girdle and shell pants
• Cup/supporter
• Shin guards

If your child is a goalie he or she will need:

• Face shield
• Leg pads
• Catch glove
• Blocker
• Chest and arm protector
• Helmet with face mask
• Special goalie skates and stick

It may sound simple but just ensuring the hockey gear fits properly plays a huge role in limiting injuries.

Loyola Sports Medicine Tips

Loyola University Health System sports medicine physicians are dedicated to enhancing sports performance and getting people back in the game. Each season an LUHS sports medicine expert from our facility in Burr Ridge will offer tips to keep you safe and active. Dr. Pietro Tonino, MD, is the director of the Sports Medicine program for Loyola University Health System and is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries both in male and female athletes and implementation of prevention strategies for ACL injuries.