The top items you need in your hockey bag

Every hockey player knows that a lot can go wrong during practice or a game. You could damage some of your equipment or worse, injure yourself. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for anything and everything that might happen while on the ice. A well-stocked hockey bag can be the difference between a minor mishap and a big emergency. Below is a list of essentials for any hockey player to ensure that their bag is well stocked and ready for anything.

When packing your hockey bag, be sure and focus on prioritizing your body. While your skates, stick, helmet, and pads are a crucial part of your game, you won’t be able to perform if your body isn’t up to the task. Ask yourself what you need to stay healthy and at the top of your game. These five essentials will help keep you hydrated, energized, and ready for any emergencies during practice or a big game.

Water Bottle

Whether you opt for a reusable water bottle or grab a purified (or even an electrolyte infused) bottle of water on your way out the door, it’s important to stay hydrated. Here’s a list of some of the best bottled water to help you choose.

Healthy Snacks

Hockey is exhausting and burns a lot of calories. It’s important to refuel before, after, and sometimes even during any practice or meets. Be sure to always keep a few protein bars or nutritious snacks in your bag.

Foam Roller or Stretch Bands

Like any other sport, it’s important to stretch your muscles before and after playing. Having foam rollers or stretch bands on hand can help you stretch more effectively, as well as roll out any sore muscles afterward.

Toiletries Kit

While playing hockey, you’ll inevitably get sweaty and gross. Carrying a small kit with soap, a washcloth, deodorant, and whatever else you need to feel clean and presentable lets you wash up after practice or a match. Your friends and family will thank you.

First-Aid Kit

Anyone who’s ever seen or played hockey knows that you get banged up quickly. Having a small bag of bandages, painkillers, heat and ice packs, ace wraps, and more helps you feel prepared to tackle any emergency that happens on the ice.

Keep Your Equipment Sharp

Now that you have everything that you need to keep yourself clean, healthy, and energized, it is time to think about your gear. As you know, hockey is a sport that requires a lot of equipment. Keeping your equipment in tip top shape is crucial not only for your performance on the ice, but for your safety as well as the safety of others.

Hockey Helmet Repair Kit

The helmet is by far the most important piece of equipment you wear because it protects your head from a variety of potential injuries. However, it can’t do that as effectively if it’s broken or chipped. Keep a helmet repair kit on hand at all times so you can stay as safe as possible while on the ice.

Hockey Tape

Having hockey tape on hand lets you protect your stick and have a better grip on it. Here’s some great tips on how to wrap your hockey stick.

Stick Wax

While on the ice, your stick and the tape wrapping it will inevitably get wet. Carry your own stick wax to help keep it dry and protected. The wax will give your stick a watertight seal to protect it from any ice build-up as well as give you more control over the puck.

Honing Stone

While this doesn’t replace a good sharpening job, having a skate stone on hand can eliminate those pesky nicks and burrs on your blades. Make sure you know how to use one safely.

Laces

In a game like hockey, it’s almost inevitable for your laces to come undone or ripped out completely. Keep a spare pair of laces in your bag in case yours get cut or torn.

When packing your hockey bag, it is important to not only focus on your equipment, but also yourself. A well-stocked bag will ensure that you are prepared for anything. Whether you’re looking to be the next Marie-Philip Poulin or just playing for leisure, hitting the rink prepared will give you peace of mind to focus on your performance and compete to the best of your ability.

Feature image by Tony Schnagl from Pexels