When you're selling hockey equipment, you need to be aware of both new safety regulations and new performance-enhancing designs. Updates are always being made to ice hockey sticks, skates, helmets, pucks, and pads — every angle of the gear is constantly scrutinized for improvement. Keeping up-to-date on the pros and cons of these innovations is key. Not an ice hockey gear retail specialist? Take time to educate yourself on the unique requirements of hockey equipment.

With customers — especially young ones — coming in for the latest gear they've read about or seen on TV, you have to know the pros and cons of every new item and whether it meets league requirements. You also have to be a fit mentor. Here are three ice hockey equipment news and trends to keep up on:

1. Start off on the right foot by choosing the right ice hockey skates.

2. Use your head to get the best helmet — the most important piece of ice hockey gear.

3. Adjust customer expectations of ice hockey goalie equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lace up the right ice hockey skate for your customers

Ice hockey skates are all about speed, speed, speed. They've become lighter and lighter over the past five years, and different types of blades have been introduced by manufacturers feeding the speed frenzy. Your job is to know the new blades and how to change them, and to make sure you observe the basics of proper fit.

I recommend: Read "How to choose ice hockey skates" from the Discount Hockey Blog to address square-one basics on proper fit. Review the newest innovation in ice hockey skates, the T-blade, at "A different kind of blade" from Epinions.com. Then increase your expertise with a quick how-to on changing out T-blades at eHow.

Protect the head with the best new helmets in ice hockey gear

All that speed the new skates give players has an unintended downside: higher-impact collisions between players, which can lead to concussion and other brain injuries. Manufacturers have been scrambling to improve helmets, and any hockey distributor will offer a wide array. It's important to offer the safest helmets, and then drill your customers, again, on fit.

I recommend: The McGill Reporter from McGill University has a great interview with David Pearsall of the Ice Hockey Research Group. The company applies the physics of motion to create ice hockey helmets that prevent concussion. Cascade Hockey has made big headlines with its concussion-proof helmet. Watch a video on fit basics at Wellsphere.

Cover the net with hockey goalie equipment that meets the new requirements

The biggest news in goalie gear is the downsizing of ice hockey goalie pads. The decision was made in 2005, but it is now beginning to be universally enforced. The controversy over this move by the NCAA and NHL may lead to customers who are reluctant to buy new pads, but you can get them to see the light with the right information.

I recommend: "Addressing the Goalies" from Boston.com goes over the changes and what they mean for goalies -- and your sales. "Sizing Hockey Goalie Leg Pads" from YouTube.com is a video primer on fit, which can be tricky.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Helmets protect the whole head -- including the ears, face, and, for goalies, the throat. Make sure the ice hockey goalie equipment you offer features coverings or cages for all of these areas, to avoid injury from a puck or a high ice hockey stick.

Ice hockey equipment is essential to the game of hockey, which remains a popular sport amongst men, women, and children. It has been estimated that 18-20 million Americans play ice hockey in schools, universities, and recreation leagues, as well as on beer league, amateur hockey, extramural, and other informal teams, across the country, on both indoor and outdoor rinks.

To effectively play the game, players must have a set of ice hockey gear that includes skates, an ice hockey stick and a puck. For safety’s sake, they also need helmets, protective padding, hockey gloves, pants and other apparel, skate runners, and ice skate sharpeners.

If you are opening a retail store or hockey business that sells ice hockey equipment, you should keep a few things in mind:

1. Be knowledgeable about brands, styles, new technology and fit.
2. Offer a wide range of hockey skates, sticks and other hockey gear.
3. Provide excellent customer service—hockey equipment is expensive, and helpful salespeople and consultants will attract long-time, repeat customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Both beginner and advanced players will want high-performance ice hockey skates

Ice hockey skates play a vital role in a hockey player's on-ice performance, no matter their skill level, age or experience. You should offer a range of affordable, durable, and comfortable skates for men, women and children.

I recommend: The leading manufacturer of ice hockey skates, CCM, sells blades, apparel, equipment bags and other ice hockey equipment. Another top manufacturer of ice hockey gear, Nike Bauer, offers a wide range of high-quality ice hockey skates, as well as sticks, pads, pants, gloves and helmets.

The right ice hockey stick is an essential tool for any hockey player

A high performance ice hockey stick results in maximum scoring performance on the ice. Have a wide selection for all age ranges and skill levels--and don't forget the goalies!

I recommend: Easton is a hockey distributor and manufacturer that offers a variety of highly-regarded ice hockey equipment, particularly Kevlar-graphite and wooden sticks. They also supply ice hockey skates, skate runners, pants, protective padding, helmets, gloves and other apparel. TPS Hockey has a nice selection of goalie sticks and other ice hockey goalie equipment—like trappers, ice hockey goalie pads, chest protectors, blockers, bags and apparel—as well as regular hockey sticks and other popular hockey products. Vaughn Custom Sports specializes in hockey goalie equipment, particularly ice hockey sticks for goalies, pads and other products.

Find a selection of ice hockey equipment that will attract players of all skill levels

Hockey players need a variety of ice hockey equipment: gloves, protective pads, helmets, hockey pants, puck shooting machines and skate sharpeners. To provide full service and happy customers, offer a wide range of hockey products.

I recommend: Mission specializes in ice hockey gear, manufacturing everything from skates and sticks to protective pads, helmets, gloves, bags and performance apparel. One of the leading hockey puck manufacturers, 49cent-puck, specializes in regulation, custom, and printed hockey pucks. Redi-Edge Ice sells a range of ice skate sharpening sets, ranging from a team skate sharpening set with seven ROH sharpeners, to a pocket skate sharpener. They also have a specialized ice skate sharpener for goalies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Serious hockey players will demand a full selection of skate maintenance products for their ice hockey skates. If properly cared for, the life of a boot and blade can be dramatically prolonged to maintain the skate's original comfort and performance. Make sure you stock an appealing range of care products for your customers.
• •  A good fit is essential to a safe, comfortable and excellent skating experience. It is imperative you have knowledgeable and experienced customer service to aid your customer in their search for the perfect skate. Great customer service will often make repeat customers!
• •  There is a strong youth market in hockey, and young male and female players are looking for exciting, trendy products that are also high performance and high quality. Take advantage of this market with youth-oriented marketing campaigns and youth outreach to local rinks and teams. For instance, you can sponsor a recreational league or local team. These contacts will be important in the long run.

As with any contact sport, ice hockey equipment education and training is paramount for the participant’s safety and for resellers that offer these products. Whether you use, sell or make ice hockey skates and like equipment, proper product education will help sales, reduce injury and increase product quality. According to Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation, ice hockey equipment is a key component in reducing injuries and serves to benefit the overall health of the sport and its participants.

Ice hockey equipment education and training not only helps reduce injury but also promotes enjoyment of the game. If your company knows what the customer needs and can answer that with improved equipment, those customers will remain loyal to your brand. Equipment safety, selection and maintenance are the main areas that can increase your company or its consumer’s product knowledge. However, before you begin this training there are a few items to consider:

1. Review ice hockey stick, skate and other equipment tutorials and videos.

2. Examine the ice hockey equipment tips for users of the products.

3. Understand the process by which the customer chooses their ice hockey equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Study the ice hockey skate and other related equipment tutorials

Before you purchase, manufacturer or sell any ice hockey equipment, it's important to know how to use these products safely. Hockey is a collision sport where player safety is of prime importance. In addition, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of ice hockey equipment.

I recommend: Examine the hockey safety equipment tutorial from Hughston Clinic. Watch the various hockey equipment videos available at Technorati.

Evaluate and utilize the ice hockey equipment tips to improve your product knowledge

Product knowledge will not only help you choose or produce better ice hockey equipment, it can increase repeat business on the retail side of the industry. For instance, if customers feel that you or your employees know all aspects of ice hockey goalie equipment, they will more likely become a repeat customer. If you're purchasing the equipment from a hockey distributor, this knowledge will help in choosing the best line of hockey product for distribution.

I recommend: Inspect the training and education information that USA hockey offers. Review the ice hockey equipment tips from Hockey Made Easy to expand your basic product knowledge.

Use the online resources to know the process of choosing the right ice hockey equipment

When choosing the right hockey equipment as a consumer there are many different items to consider. If you're new to industry you may want to start at basics and then work your way to more in-depth product selection information.

I recommend: Scrutinze the equipment selection information from Hockey Equipment for Dummies and Dicks Sporting Goods. Both of these tutorials will help you choose the right equipment as a consumer and know what the consumer wants as a retailer or distributor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sponsorship of local ice hockey teams is a great way for new equipment companies to not only market its ice hockey gear but also to provide instant feedback and education on your company's equipment.

Whether you sponsor an ice hockey team or own one, preparing your budget for the cost of the ice hockey equipment is necessary. Because each ice hockey position has its own required equipment, it is best to plan your budget on a position by position basis.

In order to help you accurately prepare your budget, consider the following ice hockey equipment pricing and costs:

1. Plan for purchasing ice hockey equipment such as nets and goals for your ice hockey rink.

2. Prepare for recurring costs such as buying pucks and sticks.

3. Promote safety by allowing a generous budget for protective equipment and safe skates.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of ice hockey equipment like goals and nets

A sturdy goal and an intact net are necessary for a competition level ice hockey game. The cost of this ice hockey equipment varies greatly depending on the level of play. For example, a professional goal is more expensive than a junior level goal.

I recommend: Dick's Sporting Goods offers a varied selection of ice hockey goals starting at $30 for a junior goal and $75 for a professional goal. Sears sells ice hockey gear, including nets and goals. Replacement nets cost between $15 and $30, while goals are priced from $20 to $200 depending on the size and style.

Factor in the cost of ice hockey equipment for games and practice

Ice hockey teams need sticks and pucks to be able to play a game or practice. Generally, the ice hockey equipment suitable for games is more expensive than those used to practice. For this reason, having two sets of equipment is often necessary. While this may be more costly in the short term, in the long term, it will save you money.

I recommend: Hockey World is a hockey distributor that offers a full line of ice hockey equipment, including sticks. For an ice hockey stick, you can expect to pay from $50 to over $200. Sports Authority offers pucks from numerous ice hockey puck manufacturers. Prices start at around $2 per puck for single pucks or around $20 for a dozen.

Add in the cost of personal ice hockey equipment

Personal equipment, including masks, protective equipment, skates and ice hockey goalie equipment, are necessary for the game to be played safely. Each piece of personal equipment is suitable for a certain position. For example, a goalie helmet isn't suitable for a lineman.

I recommend: Modell's Sporting Goods sells pairs of ice hockey skates for children and adults. You can expect to pay from $40 to over $200 for ice hockey skate pair. You can find hockey protective equipment, including helmets at HockeyGiant.com. Prices for helmets start at around $30 and go up to higher than $150.