Mr. Sieve is named after a goalie joke. A sieve is a goalie who lets in a lot of goals. Every goalie has a sieve night. Then there is the next game, and the right gear makes it safer to play.
A goalie wears more gear than anyone else on the ice. Much of it has its own name. Here is the full set:
- A certified goalie mask
- A neck guard
- A chest and arm protector
- Goalie pants
- A goalie jock or jill
- Leg pads
- Knee guards
- A blocker
- A catcher, also called a trapper or a glove
- Goalie skates
- A goalie stick
The mask
The mask protects the head and face. In Canada, Hockey Canada requires every player, goalies included, to wear a CSA-certified helmet with a CSA-certified face protector (Hockey Canada). Check for the CSA sticker on the mask before you buy (Ontario Minor Hockey Association). Some cat eye masks, with a wide opening around the eyes, are not CSA certified (CARHA Hockey).
In the US, USA Hockey uses HECC certification (Hockey Canada).
The neck guard
Many masks have a hard flap that hangs below the chin. Goalies call it a dangler. It does not replace a neck guard. Hockey Canada says a goalie who wears one still needs a BNQ-certified neck guard (VOCM). USA Hockey says hanging throat protectors are not built to stop cuts from a skate blade (USA Hockey).
Chest and arm protector
This one piece covers the chest, the belly, the shoulders, and the arms.
Goalie pants
Goalie pants are cut to work with leg pads. Buy a pair made for goalies, not player pants.
Goalie jock or jill
A goalie jock holds a protective cup. A goalie jill is a flatter pelvic protector (Hockey Canada goalie fitting guide).
Leg pads and knee guards
Leg pads cover the front of the legs, from the skate to above the knee. Knee guards sit under the pads and protect the knees when the goalie drops to the ice.
Blocker and catcher
The blocker goes on the hand that holds the stick. It protects the hand and wrist, and it helps steer pucks away from the net (Hockey Canada goalie fitting guide). The catcher goes on the other hand and closes over the puck.
Both should fit the goalie’s hand and overlap the arm pads. Never bend a blocker out of shape, because that weakens it (Hockey Calgary).
Goalie skates
Goalie skates have a hard shell around the foot. It stops pucks that hit the skate.
Goalie stick
A goalie stick has a wide paddle above the blade. Size it with skates on (Scheels).
Before you buy a full set
Ask your association if it has goalie gear to lend. A young goalie can try the position before you spend the money.
Try gear on in a store, with skates if you can. The pads, the pants, and the chest protector have to work together.
For the rest of the bag, see the gear a new player needs.