Hockey skates
Hockey skates are basically a boot with a blade attached. But, there are a few major differences between hockey skates and other types of ice skates. Lets explore this aspect and some of the others.
Hockey employs skates that are made of molded plastic and very hard. This is for safety. The possibility and probability of getting hit in the foot with a hard rubber puck that is going at over one hundred miles an hour is a definite. This puck can and does break bones from time to time. Therefore, it is probably something that a hockey player can basically count on during any given game. It is an occupational hazard. Nonetheless, hard plastic is used in this sport's skates to protect the players feet. Although, it is the lower part of the skate that is primarily plastic, the upper portion sometimes is created with another, more flexible material. However, the tongue is covered with a harder plastic shell. This aids in overall movement and speed.
When it comes to sharpening the blades, they are not to be sharpened with a single edge. They are a little bit different. There is a specific template made especially for this. The sharpening is on the outside of each blade. The bottom of the blade curves inside the blade and forms two edges at the outer portion of the metal blade itself. The typical depth of this is usually around one quarter of an inch but, can be deeper. This allows for the two sides of each blade to have two sides that will need to be sharpened. An inner and an outer. By sharpening just these two sections, this dramatically increases maneuverability and speed. This is the difference between hockey skates and say, speed skates.
When discussing this sports skates, it is the goalies that is different than the rest. Their's are basically lower all around from the boot and including the blade itself and the blades are longer. This ensures better side to side maneuverability and also lowers the center of gravity as well. This also is to assist in protection of the goal.
While there are many different brand names of manufacturers of ice hockey skates, there are a notable few. Nike Bauer is one of the more popular brands that is commonly used. But, there are also RBK, CCM, and Easton which also created fine skates for this purpose.
Therefore, this is basically an overview of hockey skates in general and details and emphasizes some of the main differences and aspects that need to be considered when deciding upon which type to use or get. Hockey is a very rough sport and proper fitting of the skate is crucial, after all, a player has to worry about getting hurt, not whether they are hurting their feet.
