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Easy Hockey Tips to Improve your Game

We've compiled a list of some general tips and tricks to use to improve your hockey playing, help your equipment last longer, and make sure that you are prepared for emergencies.

Clean Equipment...at least it smells that way

Sick of that sweat smell drifting from your (or someone else's) hockey bag?

• You can use the dishwasher, garden hose (on warmer days!), or even a clothes washer to clean your equipment. Don't use a dryer or the heat cycle on the dishwasher, let the equipment air dry.
• Stick a couple of anti-static dryer sheets in your bag (something strong-smelling like Bounce or Snuggles). This helps keep the smell manageable.
• This is my personal favorite, use "stick-up" air fresheners. Drop one in your bag and you're set on fresh scent for the season. (I accidentally left one in my trunk, it smelled nice the whole year!)
• Take a small spray bottle that is capable of producing a fine mist. Combine some 50% Isopropyl alchohol with distilled water, in a 2 part water to 1 part alcohol mixture. After you have hung up the equipment, use a light spray on the inside of shin and elbow pads, pants and shoulder pads, and let dry. The alcohol kills the bacteria that causes the odour and evaporates with the distilled water. I do not use it on socks or jerseys because they are simple enough to wash in a normal fashion. Submitted by Ross Tuskey.

Taping Your Stick

• Use non-grip tape for the butt of the stick.
• Make sure to make a knob on the butt of your stick, this helps when you drop it and have to pick it up with your gloves on during play. Goalies, make your knob larger than normal to keep your stick from flying when you attempt a poke check.
• Goalies, do NOT use black tape for the knob on the butt of our stick. This can easily be mistaken for a puck by the ref. Use white or some other bright colored tape.
• Forwards and Defense, I would use white tape if you're going to tape down the butt of the stick for grip reasons. This will keep the palms of your gloves from getting black.
• Some places sell grip tape, which is sticky on two sides. As a defenseman (or forward) I liked to use this type of tape because it helped with puck control. Not everyone likes it though, and it seems to be sold only in certain regions (I could buy it in Michigan, but not Ontario).
• When taping the blade of your stick, start at the toe, wrap around once, then tape toward the heel. This prevents those annoying tape flaps when the bottom starts to wear out.

For Emergencies

• Always have a first aid kit on hand.
• You can buy repair kits to keep on hand too, this will have assorted screws for helmets and skates, as well as straps for helmets and rudimentary tools. If you can't find one, make one.

More coming soon! Do you have anything you would like to add? Is there something you've found helpful you'd like to share with us? Send it to us and we'll be happy to add it for you. Make sure to include your name so we can give you full credit!