Hockey Equipment Buying Guide for New Players and Parents
The first thing every new hockey parent needs to hear: you do not need to spend $800 to get started. A solid starter setup for a youth player runs around $300-$400 total if you're smart about it. Here's exactly how to break that down.
The $100 Protective Kit — Start Here
For roughly $100, you can get a complete set of body protection: shin pads, elbow pads, a chest protector, gloves, pants, and a bag to carry it all. Brands like Bauer and CCM both sell starter bundles in this range — the Bauer S21 Prodigy kit and CCM's entry-level starter sets are commonly found at hockey shops and on SidelineSwap for $80-$120.
This gear doesn't need to be top-shelf. At the Mite and Squirt levels (ages 6-10), kids are growing fast and taking minimal contact. Buy cheap here. You'll replace it in a season or two anyway.
One exception: gloves. Don't go too cheap on gloves. A kid who can't feel the stick properly won't develop good hands. Spend $30-$40 on gloves instead of $15.
Skates: The Most Important Purchase
Skates are where you should actually spend money — but not as much as salespeople will tell you. For a beginner youth player, $80-$150 gets you a perfectly functional pair of Bauer Lil' Sport or CCM Tacks AS-550 skates.
The fit matters more than the price. Skates should fit snug with about a thumb's width at the toe. Take your kid to a real hockey shop (not a general sporting goods store) and have them properly fitted. A $120 skate that fits correctly beats a $200 skate that doesn't.
Get them sharpened before the first skate. New skates come unsharpened from the factory. A standard sharpening is $5-$8 and most rinks do it on-site.
Helmets: Non-Negotiable on Quality
This is the one place you absolutely cannot go bargain-hunting. Budget $50-$100 for a certified helmet with a cage. The Bauer IMS 5.0 and CCM Tacks 70 both fall in this range and carry proper HECC certification.
Always buy helmets new, not used. You have no way of knowing if a used helmet has absorbed a significant impact that isn't visible. Helmets are single-impact protective devices — once they've taken a serious hit, they're compromised.
The cage is mandatory at youth levels in most associations. Don't buy a visor for a kid under 14. USA Hockey requires full facial protection for players 18 and under in most sanctioned play anyway.
Stick: Don't Overthink It
A beginner doesn't need a $200 composite stick. Buy a $25-$40 wood or entry-level composite. Bauer and CCM both make decent sticks in this range.
More important than price: get the right size and curve. When your kid stands in skates, the stick should reach their chin in street shoes (which means it'll hit the nose on ice — the correct fit). For curve, a P88 (McDavid) or P92 pattern is standard and works for most beginners.
If your kid gets serious about hockey, they'll develop preferences and you can invest more. At the start, a cheap stick is fine.
Used Gear: What to Buy, What to Skip
SidelineSwap and Play It Again Sports are legitimate options for most protective gear. Good used buys: pants, shin pads, elbow pads, chest protectors, bags. Skates can also work if they fit correctly.
Never buy used: helmets (as mentioned), cup/jock (obvious reasons), and heavily worn skates with broken-down ankle support. The rest is fair game.
A lot of tournament families offload gear at the end of the season. If your rink has a gear swap board or Facebook group, check it before buying retail.
When Tournaments Come Into the Picture
Most new players start in house leagues, but after a season or two, the question of tournaments comes up. Tournaments are a different experience — multiple games over a weekend, different teams, real competitive pressure. It's worth knowing what's out there before your kid's first season ends.
Tourney Hunter tracks 365+ tournaments across 34 states. If your player is approaching that first tournament age, find 10U tournaments to see what's running in your region, or check out girls tournaments if your daughter is just getting started.
Total Budget Summary
Here's a realistic all-in number for a new youth player:
- Protective kit (pads, gloves, pants, bag): $100
- Skates: $100-$150
- Helmet with cage: $60-$100
- Stick: $30-$40
- Skate sharpening: $8
Anyone telling you that you need to spend more than this for a first-year player is selling you something. Get the basics right, see if your kid loves it, then invest more when you know it's sticking.