Proper Fit & Use of Protective Equipment
The 2023-2024 season is well underway and there are great things happening on and off the ice across ALLIANCE Hockey.
With so much activity, it is prudent that we take this opportunity to remind all involved, including players, team officials, and on-ice officials that protective equipment must be worn properly to ensure that safety is a priority.
Please review the following information regarding protective equipment:
28.0 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
All players, including goaltenders, shall wear a CSA approved hockey helmet to which a CSA approved hockey facial Protector must be attached and not altered in any way. The chin strap of the helmet shall be securely fastened under the chin. Penalties shall be assessed in accordance with HC Rule #3.6. Violation of this regulation shall not be grounds for a protest.
All players, including goaltenders, shall wear a BNQ approved throat protector, properly fastened and not altered in any manner. A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who is on the ice and is in violation of this regulation.
NOTE: If a goaltender chooses to wear a neck guard as well as a throat protector, the neck guard must be fastened in a manner so that it provides protection to the throat/neck area. It may not be fastened or altered in any manner that will void the CSA approval of the mask and/or helmet.
.4 All team officials and on ice helpers and NCCP Instructors must wear a CSA approved helmet during all sanctioned on ice instruction and activities. Failure to comply may result in the suspension of the offending party by the home Association or ALLIANCE Hockey in accordance with the ALLIANCE Policy re: Helmet Use for On Ice Personnel including NCCP Instructors.
EQUIPMENT POSTER
HOCKEY CANADA TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Parents have a responsibility to ensure that players are wearing equipment that fits properly, protects the area that it is intended to protect and is well maintained. Hockey Canada recommends that parents and players use care when selecting protective equipment. Here are some important points to remember:
• If any piece of equipment is cracked or is structurally unsound, it should be replaced immediately or properly repaired by a professional. Equipment should be inspected often so that all breaks can be recognized immediately and properly attended to.
• All equipment should be hung to dry after every game or practice. This reduces deterioration in the equipment’s structure and quality. Skate blades and holders should be completely dried immediately after every game or practice. This will prevent deterioration of the blade. Proper maintenance involves examining all equipment frequently throughout its life span.
• Equipment should cover the entire area of the body that it is meant to cover. Equipment should never be bought to grow into, this leaves the player at risk of serious injury, as equipment that is too big will slide away from the area that it is protecting.
• Used equipment can be an effective way to reduce the costs involved with buying new equipment for the growing player. When buying used equipment ensure that it fits properly and has good protective quality meaning there are no cracks or tears.
Did you know?
• That you should never buy skates that are too big to grow into as this can affect skating development
• When drying your skates after a session the insoles should be taken out for more effective drying
• Your helmet and facemask must be CSA certified
• If you paint your helmet or remove the CSA sticker your helmet is no longer CSA certified
• You should not apply random stickers to the helmet as some stickers have glue that can harm the helmet and could effect both CSA certification and the manufacturers warranty
• There are specific facial protectors for the player depending on their age, and you should ask your sports store or refer to the Hockey Canada rulebook to determine which is best suited for you
• If you remove ear protection from a CSA certified helmet it is no longer CSA certified and therefore does not meet Hockey Canada requirements
• Your throat protector must be BNQ certified and cannot be altered in any way
• As a rule of thumb your hockey stick should reach between your chin and your mouth if you are in street shoes
• In a "ready stance" with the stick's blade flat on the ice, there should be no gap between the ice and the bottom edge of the blade. If so, try a different lie to remove this gap.