Let's Talk Equipment
Hockey equipment. Hockey equipment can be expensive. That said, listed below are a few ways to save money and still have a well protected (and fantastic looking) hockey player.
Natick Days on the Natick Common is held in Natick Center in early September and is a great place to begin or fill out your equipment search. During this event, our organization offers free, used equipment donated by Comets families. For more information, please email info@natickcomets.com.
PURE Hockey is a national hockey specific equipment store that has competitive prices and a knowledgeable and helpful staff. This store will have everything you'll need and they also sharpen skates. The Comets partner with PURE Hockey and often offer discounts throughout the season. Click button above to go to the website for their Needham, MA store.
Pure Hockey / USA Hockey has opened an online store for Try Hockey for Free families with two options for starter kits if parents are looking to buy new equipment. The store closes on March 3rd and then orders are shipped directly to parents by March 15th. Click on button below to download instructions.
Play it Again Sports is a regional sports equipment franchise with a store in Dedham that always has plenty of hockey equipment. They specialize in buying and selling used equipment at discounted prices, and the used equipment is generally in top shape and much of their inventory is essentially brand new. Click the button above to go to the website for their Dedham, MA store.
Download the coupon below for an additional !0% discount at their Watertown store, which has much less hockey inventory than in Dedham.
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Skates - Its where it all starts. Most young players starting out DO NOT need expensive skates as they won't be stressing and torquing the boot the way stronger adult skaters do. Just make sure they fit.
Typically skate sizes run smaller than your shoe size (Sz 6 shoe may be a Sz 5 or 4.5 skate). That being said, go a bit big to make sure there is room for thick athletic socks and room to grow throughout the season.
Helmet - An essential and important piece of equipment and should be a certified model (expires at a certain age, you can check if it's valid by a sticker on back of helmet). Like skates, no helmet works well if it doesn't fit.
Shin pads, Hockey pants, Jock, Shoulder pads, Elbow pads, Gloves - these protective pieces should be in reasonable condition and can be slightly oversized for room to grow.
Hockey Jersey, Hockey socks, Hockey bag - the socks go over shin pads and typically attach to the Jock. Jersey is oversized to fit comfortably over the protective equipment. Of course a bag to carry it all into the rink.
Neck guard - Effective August 1, 2024, USA Hockey will require all players wear neck laceration protection. This applies to all players across all age groups and gender classifications (other than adults) in both games and practices. This includes on-ice officials under the age of 18. For more, see www.usahockey.com.
NOTE: It is recommended to purchase laceration protection gear as soon as you can as inventories may be low in response to this new rule. Besides the stores listed above, Dick's Sporting Goods and the online site www.skate-armor.com may be helpful.
Mouth guard - Required for U12 / PeeWee ages and older and recommended for all ages.
Hockey stick - any twig will do when starting out; allow some street hockey / ball hockey time to see if your player is left or right handed.