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Should I buy shoulder pads for beer league/beginner level?

nystromshairstylist

nystromshairstylist

Registered User
Dec 13, 2009
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I have read through alot of posts/threads in the Rink section, but am not clear on whether it makes sense or not to get shoulder pads for the (low) level I will be playing at shortly.

There is obviously no checking in my beer-league development-level division - most of the players in it will not be able to skate too well - I'm mostly concerned with getting hit with the puck in the chest or back, particularly standing in front of the goal hoping for a tip-in.

I'm also concerned, as someone mentioned in the tips thread about newbies holding their sticks high and accidentally slashing people.

Despite the above, I question getting them since:

(1) it will already be a challenge to be able to skate with hockey pants, shin pads, helmet etc., as it is stands now - all that equipment I'm not used to even wearing yet

(2) a bunch of people at my local rink have said there is probably no need

(3) I've already spend a ton of $$ on gear.

Any opinions on this question?
 
There are all kinds of reasons that shoulder pads could be an advantage, even in a beginner league.

I have found, that often when playing with less experienced players there is almost more of a reason for more padding, maybe not the highest level of padding, but padding to some extent. You get guys that "cant stop" that end up putting you in the boards, you end up with guys falling and spinning and sticks flying that can hit you in the head, back, arms, etc, you end up with guys playing chippy or tripping you that can put you in the boards or into a goal or another player, and then there is just your own level of play that may have you end up going ass over tea kettle and into the boards on your own.

At that level, I dont think you need to worry about pucks in the back or chest in front of the net, if the level is as low as you say, shots wont be hard enough or high enough to do real damage. Its more the above mentioned things and sticks flying that you need to worry about.

I would suggest some, at least basic, level of shoulder pad, even for a beginner league. You dont have to spend a lot of money to get decent protection against sticks and falls, then as you get better you can decide how much or how little you need.
 
if you're a beginner, i'd absolutely get shoulder pads. i wouldn't even consider going without unless i know i'm one of the best skaters on the ice...even then, you can't really account for the dumb stuff other people do.
you gotta remember, if you're playing with other beginners, chances are, they're not gonna be very good at maneuvering on their skates, so the chances of accidental collisions will be high.
i'm more of an intermediate player, having played 6 years of house league as a kid and 3 years of college club hockey. got back into the game last winter after a 10+ year layoff.
playing in an adult non-checking league and got hit pretty square accidentally once by an opposing team member...but twice by my own teammates who have very little control on their skates.

...trust me, go with shoulder pads.
 
Yes you should get some. At the beginner level, there will be all sorts of accidental falls by you, guys falling into you and making you fall, errant sticks, pucks, etc. Its worth it to have some sort of protection.

I would suggest sherwood traditions or nikebauer classics. Basic shoulder pads with caps to protect shoulders and thin foam as a bit of protection for the sternum and upper arms. Very light and mobile, cheap too. They are about $25 new on hockeymonkey or hockeygiant.
 
Absolutely, definitely, it's a must.

Doesn't matter the level to be honest, I have seen low level pylons fire the puck harder than some pro's. I have also seen the same low level pylons level players into their own goaltender and then wonder why they get a penalty.

Shoulder pads will help when you inevitably fall to the ice and accidentally block a shot, or fall and slide into the post/boards etc.
 
I should wear mine as it is the thing to do ... I even have the farrell shouldies that are like not really wearing anything.

I have not been wearing them and I should for sure. I did get a hard wristshot right in the chest when I was wearing them but have not been hit since. It is a matter of time before I am hit again so I should make a point to wear them.

YOu should wear them for sure.
 
nystromshairstylist said:
Ooooh, ok I get it....if I spent alot of cash getting the Bauer 9500 helmet, might as well get decent shoulder pads.

Here is the one I'm leaning towards ordering:

http://www.hockeygiant.com/bausup35spsr.html

Let me know what you all think...
Click to expand...

It's perfect. All OneXX gear looks and feels similar and the protection level seems to be very slight between top and low models. I know the only difference between One50 and One95 is a rib guard.
 
Yes, definitely. You'll run into the odd experienced guy that doesn't, but 99% of players at that level do.

For guys who have played for years I can see it, but thinking back on my first times out and power skating, shoulders are a must. Had a few falls where the pads saved my back or shoulder getting messed up. And incidental/accidental contact may save you getting the wind knocked outta ya.
 
Hey Nystrom

You certainly need shoulder pads! However you will not need huge ones, especially considering that you will be playing @ chelsea in the spring/summer where it often gets a little hot in the rink.

If you go to West Side Stick & Skates (wsskate.com I think) they have low profile shoulder pads (exactly like the ones Paul Newman wore in Slapshot) for $35! I'm going to pick up a pair for this summer as well.
 
robmneilson said:
Hey Nystrom

You certainly need shoulder pads! However you will not need huge ones, especially considering that you will be playing @ chelsea in the spring/summer where it often gets a little hot in the rink.

If you go to West Side Stick & Skates (wsskate.com I think) they have low profile shoulder pads (exactly like the ones Paul Newman wore in Slapshot) for $35! I'm going to pick up a pair for this summer as well.
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, thanks for weighing in.

For a few bucks more I got the One35s at HG, as they seemed to be less cumbersome than some of the others I've seen. At ~ $40, they're not a huge investment.

I'm wondering how well Chelsea and City Ice will be able to hold up come the summer months. I plan to skate/play all year 'round, but is it even possible to maintain a decent ice surface when the temp is 92 outside?
 
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The ice is usually not too bad, one rink is alot better than the other though.

The West rink (I think) is the bad one, its the one without the stands that has the huge windows. In the summer time it makes the sun shine on the ice a bit more and makes it a little more choppy.

The East rink is usually pretty good.

I played there through the summer and even when it was 100 degree's out it was usually pretty good. There was one day where we had some fog problems going in, but that was one out of 17 games for us.

I've gotta downgrade my shoulder pads for the summer for sure. There were a few times when I felt like dieing on the bench. If I didn't fill my water bottle 1/3 of the way and leave it in the freezer the night before my games I may have not made it.
 
No way. If it's not a checking league then shoulder pads are not needed. If you feel you must though, get small, thin ones.
 
I've seen several players had their season or amateur hockey playing days ended because they weren't wearing shoulder pads. If you have unlimited health care and will live forever, go ahead, feel free not to wear any pads:naughty:
 
Absolutely...you'd be foolish not to.

I might even go a little more protective than the ones you posted. Reason being, a good all around pad will stay with you as you progress.
 
One of the guys on my team doesn't EVER wear shoulder pads. Everytime he goes down and hits the boards I hold my breath. He's been lucky and hasn't been hurt...I don't think I would ever play a league game without any shoulder pads.

I also stand in front of the net on the PP alot as well, so I need them.
 
donGjohnson said:
I've seen several players had their season or amateur hockey playing days ended because they weren't wearing shoulder pads. If you have unlimited health care and will live forever, go ahead, feel free not to wear any pads:naughty:
Click to expand...

What injuries, exactly, do shoulder pads prevent in a beer league? How often are you people running into things? lol
 
Predanerd said:
What injuries, exactly, do shoulder pads prevent in a beer league? How often are you people running into things? lol
Click to expand...

The OP is playing in a beginners league. Chances are there will be some crashing into each other and some falling down. None of which fell all that great to unprotected shoulder/chest/back.

Not wearing shoulder pads is really up to the player, much like not wearing a visor or cage.
 
Brentbreakaway23 said:
I suit up with all my pads...always, even if it's just stick and puck.

I guess I don't trust myself enough or the others around me.
Click to expand...

I agree with that. I've taken snappers off my clavicle at snp, somehow nothing was broken, so I decided to put on shoulder pads even there. I also like to play in front of the net, and getting hit by pucks is inevitable. The rink I play on really has awful ice, there are sometimes ruts near the boards you don't realize until you bust ass on them.
 
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