With hockey season rapidly approaching, excitement fills the air for young players eager to hit the ice. For parents whose children are gearing up to compete, now is the perfect time to ensure they are fully prepared with the right equipment to perform their best and feel confident while doing so.
AMFANS – the American Sports Fans Association - presents the ultimate guide to equipping your kids for hockey season like a pro.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT GEAR - FIT MATTERS
In hockey, the right gear does more than just complete the look — it directly impacts comfort, safety, and performance. Because hockey involves fast-paced movement, physical contact, and potential collisions, well-fitted equipment is essential. Start with skates: look for strong ankle support and a snug fit. A properly fitted helmet with a full face cage protects against pucks, sticks, and falls, while shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, and gloves guard against impact and abrasions. A high-quality hockey stick matched to your child’s height and playing style will help them refine their skills during games and practices alike. The AMFANS staff highlights some of the best options below.
Why They Are Great
Designed with a strong, supportive boot core, the CCM Tacks XF 80s provide extra stiffness compared to recreational-level skates, helping develop proper skating strides while offering more skating power. Whether pushing for a breakaway or battling in the corners, these skates deliver the performance and durability needed for competitive play.
Why They Are Great
Designed specifically for the game’s youngest players, the Vapor Fly40 Skates are built to be approachable, comfortable, and exciting to wear every gameday. MotionFlex facing gives them the room they need to easily flex over their toes while maintaining lateral support, while the bright graphic will easily help them become the star of every game.
STICKS
Why It's Great
The Bauer Nexus Performance Stick has a mid-kick construction designed for competitive junior players looking to get the feel of a premium stick with added tech to help hone their game.
Why It's Great
The Sherwood Playrite Youth Stick has been completely redeveloped in order to make hockey as fun and easy to learn as possible! Now with four different height and flex options, every player can find a stick with the proper length and flex, essential for the learning process.
HELMETS
CCM Tacks 70 Hockey Helmet Combo - Junior
Why It's Great
Featuring lightweight construction with full-coverage dual density foam liner, the CCM Tacks 70 helmet offers top-notch comfort and protection suitable for all ages. The ventilated shell helps keep your head cool during play. Easy tool-free cage adjustments, plus the quick-release chin strap buckle, and FlipClip size adjustment on the sides help ensure the perfect fit.
Bauer Prodigy Youth Helmet Combo
Why It's Great
Featuring shell and facemask adjustment for optimal fit, quick release attachments for ease of use, and a dual-density foam liner, the Bauer Prodigy helmet provides optimal protection.
SHOULDER PADS
Bauer X Shoulder Pads
Why They Are Great
Designed with comfort in mind, the Bauer X shoulder pad uses a very soft Flexcell foam and sleeve fit to keep your movements natural and comfortable. The sublimated hydrophobic mesh liner will keep them dry all game long.
Why They Are Great
The Warrior Rise Youth Shoulder Pad provides great coverage and protection, giving the confidence to battle hard. They offer great mobility, so players feel agile and comfortable on the rink. Molded plastic throughout the shoulder caps and biceps are built to handle impacts along the boards. Combined with extended coverage in the sternum, clavicle and spine, the Rise Shoulder pads are a great option for players seeking lightweight upper body protection.
Why They Are Great
The Warrior Rise Youth Elbow Pads are a solid choice for recreational hockey players, offer ing lightweight protection and designed to sit comfortably on the arm. Molded plastic surrounds the elbow and extends down the lower forearm, ensuring top-end protection against a fall or contact against the boards. The three-strap system locks the arm within the coverage and the sublimated liner provides a comfortable fit right out of the box.
Why They Are Great
Designed for recreational-level players, the Bauer X Elbow Pads were engineered to provide the ideal combination of protection and comfort — keeping elbows and forearms protected from pucks or bumps.
GLOVES
Why They Are Great
Designed to protect hands without limiting mobility, the Bauer Supreme Mach Gloves allow stickhandling around opponents and putting shots in the back of the net. The CONNEKT Palm offers flexibility to improve stick skills.
Why They Are Great
The Warrior Rise Youth Gloves offer great protection while providing a lightweight and highly mobile fit. The Clarino palm is soft and comfortable for a solid stick connection, while the silky internal liner wicks sweat and moisture away from the hand.
PANTS
Why They Are Great
The CCM Next Youth Ice Hockey Pants allow players to move freely while providing solid impact protection to the lower body. This protection includes molded plastic in key impact areas such as the kidneys, hips, thighs, lower spine, and tailbone, ensuring great coverage for the body when players take a spill or accidentally skate into the boards.
Why They Are Great
Protection in every stride. The Bauer Supreme Mach pants provides maximum mobility without taking away the protection needed to stay ahead of opponents.
SHIN GUARDS
Why They Are Great
The CCM Next Youth Shin Guards are built with a lightweight shell design that delivers great mobility alongside reliable and functional protection. CCM has incorporated additional foam padding around the knee area to enhance both comfort and protection. Lastly, to ensure the shin guard remains comfortable and locked on the leg, an adjustable Y-strap keeps protection in place.
Why They Are Great
The Bauer X Shin Guards are designed for protecting the lower legs from pucks and other impacts while remaining comfortable enough to wear through all three periods.
JOCK SHORTS
Why They Are Great
The Shock Doctor Mesh Hockey Jock Shorts have a loose fit with a ton of ventilation, providing excellent comfort and great breathability. Boasting Shock Doctor's BioFlex Cup, players receive elite-level protection to a very vital area. They are built with a unique, vented body with an integrated gel perimeter pad for unrestricted movement and improved comfort.
BAGS
Why It's Great
When style is an important part of your game, your bag should only elevate it. This carry bag features tough, heavy-duty materials and a sleek design that everyone in the locker room will notice. Made with enough room for all your gear and internal pouches for tape, tools, and other game-day essentials, start turning heads from the moment you get to the rink.
MOUTHGAURDS
Why It's Great
The Shock Doctor Pro Mouthguards are a proven dual composite construction with internal shock-absorbing frame that offers protection and fit, which outperforms conventional mouthguards.
Final Word
Equipping your child for hockey season isn’t just about gear — it’s about setting them up to enjoy the game, build confidence, and stay safe while doing it. With the right preparation, they’ll be ready to take on any challenge, both on and off the ice.
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More about AMFANS
AMFANS saves you money on all sports. AMFANS members receive verified discounts on the best fan gear, sporting goods and sportswear and puts them all in one convenient place, making it easy for you and your family to save time and money. AMFANS also directly supports the AMFANS Foundation, which provides funding to numerous American sports-related charities. And AMFANS serves as the premier national association representing your interests as a sports fan.
