Pine-Richland Inline Hockey

Hockey equipment purchasing info:

No equipment labeled MYLEC is acceptable for inline hockey. Mylec makes street (ball) hockey equipment that is not designed to stand up to an inline puck.

Choose equipment that is current, as time passes padding breaks down and is less effective, and plastic gets brittle and cracks. These issues put the skater at greater risk of injury.

All players need a cup or pelvic protector. Ensure that sizing is appropriate for ease of motion.

All players need a “mouth guard”.
The mouth guard helps protect the teeth, but more importantly absorbs shock that could lead to a concussion. The league requires that mouth guards be tethered to the helmet.

A players’ helmet must fit properly.
Make sure the helmet adjusts to fit, and the chin cup is snug to the skaters face. Helmets were originally designed to protect against sticks and pucks, but some helmets are now designed to help prevent concussions (Cascade is one brand). Helmets have an expiration date, follow it! Helmets must have a HECC certification.

A properly sized stick is important to allow the player to pass, receive, and shoot the puck. The stick should come up to the players’ nose when they are wearing skates. The “lie” or angle of the blade where it meets the stick is also important. If the “lie” is not right for the skater the end of the blade will stick up in the air, instead of sitting flat on the floor. Curve of the blade is a more personal choice, which comes with experience and position.

Make sure elbow and shin pads fit appropriately.
Pads that are too small or short can lead to unnecessary injuries. Pads that are the wrong size may move out of position or fall off completely during play.

Choosing inline skates:
Skate fitting is a critical equipment issue.
A proper fitting skate is crucial in helping a player develop good skating technique. Seek assistance from a trained salesperson. Choose a retailer that has the equipment to heat mold, or”bake” the skates for optimum fit. “Baking” allows the boot to conform to the actual shape of the skaters’ foot. If you decide to purchase online, or at a sporting goods store, keep in mind that they will not be “baked”. Most hockey retailers and pro shops will “bake” your skates for around $20 no matter where you bought them.

Look for wheels designed for “sport court” or indoor use, these are softer than outdoor wheels and will grip the floor better. (They will not hold up outside though). 76A is the designation for a soft wheel; higher numbers are harder, intended for blacktop use.

When replacing wheels keep in mind that different skate manufacturers use different combinations of wheel sizes, therefore you need to check what your current sizes are before purchasing.
Some skates use 4 equal size wheels per skate, while many use a Hi/lo system with either two or three different size wheels. Common sizes are 76mm and 80mm.
Better skaters will want to look for skates with wheel bearings with better ratings. Although originally intended as a quality designation, the higher the rating the lower the resistance should be. Bearings generally have ratings of ABEC 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

Online Retailers:
Hockey Monkey
Hockey Giant
Inline Warehouse
Local retailers with knowledgeable staff:
Ko Sports
Pirani’s
House o’ Hockey
(ISC & Bladerunners Pro shops)