Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, Richmond Hill Liberal, Copyright October 10, 1990

Dear Dr. Horowitz:

            In a while, my son will be starting to play ice hockey for the first time. He is six years old. Is there anything I should know about where or how to buy equipment for him? Should I buy the least expensive equipment considering he will probably only use it for one or two years, or must I spend everything I have to get him the best?

 

I would feel terrible if he was hurt because I didn’t buy the right things. I should add that I am a single mother who doesn’t know the first thing about hockey. I have been reading your articles for years, and hope you can help me.

 

Thank you.

Janet T., Richmond Hill

 

Dear Janet,

            Hockey is a wonderful sport for young children. It teaches and develops many skills – balance, strength, intelligence, teamwork – as well as teaching them many of the social skills which will be needed in later life.

 

Unfortunately, minor hockey also has its drawbacks, especially for single parents. Your son’s hockey will occupy several hours out of your week. Games, practices, dressing and driving to and from games are all time consuming.

 

The one thing you do not want to be concerned with during the hockey year is the protective equipment your son will be wearing during games and practices.

 

If you buy good equipment for him now, it will not only last longer than the “cheap stuff”, but he will also learn the importance of respecting his body and the bodies of others.

 

If he understands, and you should make sure that he does, that you are spending money that you can’t really afford, he will treat the equipment and the game with more respect.

 

Let him know that you are buying him good equipment because you love him and want to be sure that he is well protected, because hockey can sometimes be a dangerous game.

There is no need to buy the best equipment, as long as it fits well and protects the areas it is designed to protect, it is fine. A $10 pair of elbow pads purchased at the local hardware store might have just as much padding in them as a $60 pair purchased at the specialty store.

 

It may even be that the more expensive pair doesn’t fit your son as well as the cheaper pair. Expense doesn’t mean protection.

 

The more expensive equipment might be autographed by Wayne Gretzky and might be hand-stitched in Canada. The cheaper equipment might be autographed by Brent Imlach and might be made in Bolivia, where labor is cheaper.

 

If you are considering two brands of equipment, don’t be embarrassed to ask the salesman a few questions about why one is more expensive than the other.

 

If he cant come up with any good reason (except that item A is an exact replica of the glove worn by Dino Ciccarelli when he punched Luke Richardson in the face), then buy the less expensive item.

 

Take a knowledgeable relative or friend along on your shopping trip so you don’t get confused with all the suggestions given to you by the salesman.

 

The coach of your son’s team might be pleased to accompany you. If not, get a list of all necessary equipment and how much each should cost.

 

You might think a “protective cup” is an unbreakable cup to sip some refreshment from while on the bench.

 

You might tell the salesman that your son doesn’t need one. You might regret that decision in 25 years when all of your friends have grandchildren and you don’t.

 

In summary you should not spare any expense if it is warranted. Don’t spend the extra $10 on something because it has a fancy red stripe on it, but the extra $20 spent on the shin pads which have extra foam protection might be money well spent.

 

More suggestions: buy from a reputable store, or even better, shop where you can trade in equipment at the end of the season.

 

Many arenas and hockey leagues will put you in touch with an organization or store where this policy is in effect. This will save you money now and next year.

 

Always buy equipment to fit NOW, not next year. Children don’t grow into skates. They break their ankles if they are too big.

 

Kids don’t grow into shoulder pads. They fall down, get in the way, don’t do their job and are useless if they don’t fit them THIS year.

 

Watch next week for more on a new type of spinal protective pad more and more hockey players are wearing.