Ice hockey

Time at the rink is limited. It always feels too short! Especially when you want to repeat movements to reach mastery.
So why not have your own rink in your basement, garage or backyard.
Below is all you need to know about the best synthetic ice for hockey practice and the tips to help you choose the best option for you. 

This article only covers the skatable synthetic ice - Don't mix up with shooting tiles and pads - see this article for those products.

Note - if you are looking for the best synthetic ice for figure skating, head to this other article.

This article may contain affiliate links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best synthetic ice for hockey practice - summary

Essential to know

First of all, let's be honest.
There are a few things I want you to consider before buying synthetic ice. 

• This article only includes tiles you can skate on (no stickhandling pads) - don't make the mistake when buying a product (a lot of tiles cannot be skated on)
• It is not exactly like ice. It takes a little bit to get used to it. But synthetic ice is as close as you can get to ice skating anywhere (85 to 90% there). And it is great to practice specific points when you don't have access to an ice rink. 
• Don't be thrown off by the first few minutes. It gets better as you skate on them.
• You MUST be aware that blades will need sharpening more often!

• Many companies state they are the #1 or the leader, it is quite funny - the truth is that most of them are pretty much equivalent. Some say this one glides better; others say this other one. I saw one influencer say in 2 videos that a different brand was the best synthetic ice; it depends on who was paying that week. The truth is that it is extremely difficult to compare as it depends on the surface under it, the environment, the skates, the players, what is being done...
• To keep up with the truth, I have not tested all of them myself. Not possible. But I have done many many days of research, to compile the information in this this article. I hope it will help.
• Yes, these tiles are quite an investment but that they can last for years

Criteria to consider

I am entering into more details further in the article, but here are the main factors to consider when looking at the "fake ice" tiles for hockey practice:

• Friction coefficient (how does it glide)
• How much shaving is created by skating on them (although the only downside, is that you have to clean more)
• Thickness 
• Interlocking system between tiles
• Double-sided or single-sided
• Warranty
• Price 

#1 - Best synthetic ice for hockey - Lower price range: Skate Anytime

• Product: Skate Anytime synthetic ice
• Pros: Good price for quality, easy to set up and remove, 5)-year warranty, easy to add tiles later on
• Full review after the FAQs and criteria

See various size packages and their prices

(and you can also read customer reviews on Amazon)

#1 bis - Alternatives in the lower price range 

And in the in-between price range, you can find Xtraice synthetic ice.

#2 - Best synthetic ice for hockey players and goalies- Higher price range: Can-Ice

• Product: Can-Ice synthetic ice
• Pros: larger tiles (less connections), less shavings, double-sided for twice the lifespan
• Full review after the FAQs and criteria

See various size packages and their prices

Can-Ice Demo Video

#2 bis - Alternatives in the higher price range

• Smart Rink 
• Glice Rink
• Hockeyshot extreme glide synthetic ice
• Kwikrink synthetic ice

Still think ice would be better?

If you live in a cold part of the country, and think you still would like real ice but don't want a complicated solution, check out the EZ backyard rink.

Answers to your Synthetic Ice FAQs

What is synthetic ice? What is it made of?

Synthetic ice is made of polymers. Innovation is the past year has made the material better and better at mimicking natural ice (Plastic was first used for ice skating in the 1960s). It is now made mostly from high density polyethylene plastic with a slip agent, but also from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
All brands have been developing and improving with new material and slip agent to always improve the gliding capability.

This material is shaped into panels that interlock smoothly to create a large even surface.

How do you skate on synthetic ice? Does it feel the same as ice?

How it works on the ice:
When your blade applies pressure on the ice, it melts, creating a thin film of water. This water lubricates and allows the blade to glide.

How it works on plastics:
The plastic imitates the hard part of the ice and the lubricant additive (chosen for its reaction with the polymer) plays the role of the water.

Reported feeling:
It is not ice. So, it cannot be the same.
It is said that the plastic is able to imitate up to 90% the feeling of gliding on the ice.
Skaters report that they are able to do as on the ice, but that it adds resistance. 
However, I would not see that as a bad thing. The added friction can be a benefice to the skater’s power and endurance.

Can you use regular skates on synthetic ice? Does it ruin blades?

Yes, you skate on the synthetic ice with your regular skates (hockey or figure skates).
Quality synthetic ice that is well maintained does not damage blades.
However, bad quality synthetic ice or poorly maintained rink can.

The main impact is that they will need sharpening more often (but a lot less with the last generations of plastic ice) - some say roughly twice as often.

What about goalie pads?

Low quality tiles can damage goalie pads quickly.
However high-quality ones that are well maintained should not. But, honestly, they still do a little.
You get rollerfly sets to attach to your pads. For example, Skate Anytime has a synthetic ice package for goalies.

However, remember that you are adding friction to your movements, it will increase impact on your hips when doing butterflies. So be reasonable with your training.

Can I practice hockey manoeuvres on synthetic ice?

Yes, with quality tiles, you can practicethem all:

• Brakes
• Turns
• Pivots
• Goalie drills
• Puck control
• ...

Muscles are used the same way. They may just work a little harder.

Lower quality tiles would slightly modify the moves. For example, they can require a longer trajectory to stop.

Is synthetic ice good? Is it worth the price?

Buying your own synthetic ice rink to practice at home or to create a business is a big investment. It is important to be sure it is useful.
Those plastic ice sheets have really improved in the past decades, and they are now really close to the feeling of gliding on the ice. Plus, they have also improved in terms of durability.
Of course, you have to make sure to purchase good quality panels. And quality means more expensive. A solution could be to gather with other skaters to purchase the rink and share the time on it.

If you are building it as a business, it is more cost efficient than a traditional ice rink that requires compressors.

How long do synthetic ice panels last?

In theory, under normal use (which means with good maintenance and not doing stupid things on it), the use can be indefinite.
The tiles are quite strong and difficult to destroy. The glide-ability can be brought back with lubricant.

Check out the warranties offered by manufacturers. They can be from a couple of years to 10 years for some.

And most tiles can be turned to use the other surface and make your rink last even longer!

What are the advantages of a synthetic ice rink?

You can set it up at home: in your garage, basement or backyard
You can skate all year round!
You can skate in any weather. It can be left outside.

Criteria to choose your best synthetic ice sheets

Your Objective / Use

The first criteria to consider when choosing your plastic ice is what you will do with it. Is it: 

• Just for fun recreatinnal skating?
• To practice drills?
• To play hockey with friends?
• To practice at high level off-season?
• To create a commercial rink?
• ....

From that you can choose the quality, thickness, size... depending on your budget.

Coefficient of friction / glide-ability

This is the most important criteria of all. The lower the coefficient, the better. However, they do not always share it.
The coefficient of friction will impact:

• The gliding ability - how close to conventional ice does it feel
• The dulling of your blades - the more friction, the faster your blades become dull and need resharpening
• The durability - the higher the friction, the more important the creation of shavings, abrasions and tiny worn-off particles that will reduce the quality and look of your synthetic ice

The slip agent is what makes the synthetic ice glide, what reduces the friction. The current synthetic ice tiles are self-lubricating. Do not buy one that is not.
The biggest difference between brands will be what agent is used and how much.

Hardness

The hardness criterion has 2 main impacts on your "plastic rink":

• The durability
• The natural feel - how close is it to ice?

A surface that is too soft (with cheaper resin for example) will feel like when the ice is too soft. You dig into it, and it adds friction and slows down the glide.
A surface that is too hard (not enough slip agent for example, or like older surfaces) will dull the blades very fast.

The perfect balance must be found.

Interlocking system

The main difference between an ice backyard rink and a synthetic ice backyard rink is that one is made of panels interlocking while the other is just one surface.
But you want that feel of continuity, otherwise it will create a horrible experience.

The interlocking system is absolutely ESSENTIAL. It must:

• be tight and seamless, so that the transition is not felt at all when gliding from one panel to another.
• be strong and not allow panel to get loose

Different systems are used by manufacturers: puzzle, dovetail, tongue and groove... All can be good if they have a good fit.

The tongue and groove system requires more work to install and will make it difficult to take it apart. Which also means on the positive side, that it really won't move or slide.
The puzzle and dovetail systems are easier to set up and tear apart. Thus, you need to regularly check that there has been no slip before skating.

Thickness

A thick product will be more durable.
It can set up on flat surface without a subfloor and will not be bending over time.

Single vs Double-sided

A single-sided ice panel can have a special set up on the bottom part that makes it more stable and less sensitive to small ground variation.
A double-sided ice panel can be skated on both sides (if the bottom side has been protected) which doubles the life-span of your product.

Toxicity / Environment-friendliness

Another criteria you can look for is how environmentally friendly the materials are.
What is the level of toxicity (especially for the gliding agent)?
Does the manufacturing process use renewable energy?...

Service 

What are their service conditions?
Do they help with the install? Can you easily get someone on the phone to give advice and explanations?

Warranty

Considering the investment, I recommend checking out the details of the warranty.
Is there a warranty on the tiles?
How long is it?
What are the conditions?

Storage / movement

Depending on what you want to do with them, check how easy they are to move or store when not in use.

Colors

What do you want on your rink? Do you need lines, or colors?
Some brands only have white tiles while other can provide colored one to create lines on the rink.

Price

And of course, there is the price and your budget.
I recommend less tiles but of good quality. And adding progressively.

What to check in reviews of synthetic ice online:

• gliding feel from skaters (to be taken with a grain of salt, since it depends on how people are taking care of the material),
• production of shavings - they will all make some, but are reviews reporting a lot,
• is anyone reporting change in color when exposed to sun, rain or snow,
• how responsive the company is to potential issues.

Below is my analysis of some of the top brands so that it is easier for you to compare.

Best synthetic ice tiles for hockey - Reviews - Lower price range

Best synthetic ice for pro practice - Higher price range

All the following brands are specialized in commercial synthetic ice rinks, but also offer home installations.
Prices are on quotes.

Specifics:

• Double-sided tiles - 4’x5’ or 4’x10’
• Gliding - it has a slip agent inside the product, so no additional product is necessary (self-lubricating)
• Less shavings
• Interlocking system - puzzle
• Warranty - no indication
• Color - several colors to create an ice rink with lines
• Endorsed by Hockey Canada

The following alternatives are in no particular order.
I have tried gathering facts as much as possible to help you compare and make a decision.

How to set up and take care of your garage / backyard rink

The requirements to set up your synthetic ice rink

For most synthetic ice modern products, you need a flat, sturdy and hard surface to set up the tiles on: concrete, asphalt, and decks are great
However, the thinner one would be better on plywood or rubber (to fix any small flaw in the flooring).
It can be indoor or outdoor: in basements, parking areas, driveways, garage...
Always make sure to follow the instructions provided with your product for maximal use.

Do You Have to Resurface Synthetic Ice?

No Zamboni required

All products listed in this article are self-lubricating. Which means they will keep gliding without any intervention (except for cleaning).
It actually normally gets better as it is being used.

How often should you clean the surface?

It depends on the amount of shavings created and the environment.  Dirt comes from a variety of sources.
Outside: leaves and other natural elements can end up on the tiles.
Inside, dust can build up on it.

I think a quick vacuuming before any session is best, but it depends on how often you practice.

Once in a while you can also consider pressure washing.

Complete your rink for hockey training

But even without synthetic ice, you can train at home. Check out my best-of off-ice hockey training equipment list.

And don't forget to hydrate as you train!

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Time on the ice is limited, but this is not reason for not training.
To strengthen your full body, build your skating muscles and improve your balance, consider the following best slide boards for hockey training off-ice.
Plus, I list some examples of exercises.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best slide boards for hockey training - Summary

Want to improve your ice hockey game, even if you have limited time on the ice.
One of the best off-ice training equipment for hockey players is the slide board. 
Put the slick surface (with rebounders on both sides) on a flat ground and it allows you to work on:

• Balance
• Core strength
• Skating muscles

Plus, you can use it in combination with a shooting pad to imitate the moves of ice hockey
Below is a summary of my section of slides boards for hockey players. Detailed specifications and reviews are further in the article (plus exercises suggestions).

Best slide boards for hockey players

• Criteria - slide-ability, length, durability (learn more further in this article)
• Pros of a sliding board kit - easy to move around (practice anywhere!)
• Note - brands specific to hockey have created their own versions. They don't have extra features special to hockey, it is basically the same concept. However, they are often found more stable and can adapt in length.

With hockey branding - adjustable length:

Best hockey training tiles to slide

• Instead of a single product board, you can opt for hockey tiles to create your sliding board
• Pros: the size you want (adapt to your size and stride) and can be adapted to different shapes for a variety of exercises, can also be used for shooting and stickhandling practice
• Cons: more expensive, more difficult to transport

At the end of this article, you can also see instructions to build your own DIY slide board.

And if you really want to feel like skating at home (and you have the space), consider installing synthetic ice tiles (learn more here).

Criteria to choose your hockey training slide board

Why hockey players should use a sliding board?

A slide board is a flat and slick surface with rebounders on each side that allows you to slide from one end to the other (with specialized footwear).
It mimics the skating motions as much as possible, focusing on posture (bending ankles, knees, back, arms...)
They can make you work out almost every muscle in the body. A great tool for off-ice hockey training!
The overall benefits of exercising on one are:

• Lateral changes of direction and high-speed acceleration (agility) with minimal joint impact
• Improvement of endurance
• Strengthening of the plantar and dorsal muscles of the foot, and the ankle ligaments
• Improvements in lower body strength, especially the abductor and adductor which is good for the knees
• Improvements in hip functionality
• Burning over 700 calories in one hour if doing challenging exercises.

So, what does it mean for hockey players? How does that help?

• Work muscles used for skating - especially the extensor muscles for a strong stride
• Improve speed
• Improve reactivity in lateral changes of direction, essential to hockey player
• Strengthen hip abductors and adductors to prevent injury
• Help to “cut” or “turn on the dime” on the ice
• Strengthen muscles to maintain the bent posture position

To be able to practice, you need a good quality slide board. Below are the criteria to look for when choosing yours.

Slide-ability

The first criteria to look at is the material used for the sliding surface.
How good is it for sliding? (noting that it will never be as good as ice!)
Most products are made of PVC. Let's be honest, it is a product that you can roll and transport, so of course there is a compromise. Reviews can be harsh because people expect the impossible (price, transport, strength, perfect slide...).
However, check out reviews to see what most people think of the slide-ability. 

Length

There are several lengths of slide boards.
The small ones are really only for little kids.
Teens and adults should always take the longer ones to get the full benefits of the board. Otherwise, you are very limited in the types of exercises that can be done.

Around 6 foot - 71 inches - 1.80 m is a good size for full practice.

Note: the width is often quite standard, it does not have a major impact on your use of the product.

Transportability

How easy is it to transport?
Make sure the options fit with your training plan and lifestyle.
If it always stays at the same spot for your training, you will have more choices than if you want to take it outside in a park or at the gym to set it up.

Reviews of best hockey sliding boards

Review - SPRI Slide Board

• Length - 71in
• Width - 20in
• Color - Black
• PVC surface with excellent slide-ability reviews
• Transport bag - yes
• Booties - yes (one size fits most)
• Sold with an exercise guide

This is one of the best reviewed sliding boards on the market. The quality/cost ratio is excellent.
Plus it comes with an exercise guide to get your started.

Buy it / Read reviews

Review - Balance 1 slide board

• Length - 6ft or 7.5ft 
• Color - Black, Blue, Red - for different height recommendations
• Has anti-slip surfaces at each end
• Cheaper - slide-ability reviews are not as good as the SPRI but still correct
• Transport bag - yes
• Booties - yes (one size fits most)

A more affordable option but not for intensive use. 

Buy it / Read reviews

Review - Better hockey Extreme slide board

Review - Hockeyshot Slide Board Pro

• Length - 2 sizes: 8 in or 10in - adjustable
• Width - 22in
• Angled rubber bumper for better push-offs
• Booties - yes (large size: 8 to 12)
• Transport bag - yes

Well known hockey tool brand.
The 10in is great for taller players.  And it is adjustable, so everyone can use it at its perfect size.

Buy it / Read reviews

Reviews of best hockey sliding tiles

Review - Hockey Revolution training tiles - Lit or Pro

• 20 orange tiles (13in x13in) and 4 stoppers - adjustable to any length (for the adult size) - or 12 slides and 2 stoppers (for kids)
• high quality
• Booties - yes
• Plus 2 antislip rubber mats

The main advantage is that you can create the length and shape you want for a variety of exercises.
Plus, it locks with the traditional My Puzzle tiles to create a whole area for training.

Buy it / Read reviews

6 Slide board exercises for hockey players

Before sharing any exercises with you:

• Make sure that you can perform such workouts with a doctor or physiotherapist
• Understand proper technique

Proper technique on the slide board

• Warm up (10 to 30 minutes) before using it - to avoid muscle pulls and sprains
• Make sure your laces are tied properly, and your booties are correctly placed all around your shoes
• Always keep your knees bent
• Always keep your head up and arms up (unless specific exercises)
• Start the movement very slow to feel the positioning of your body (and ensure a safe exercise) and then speed up

Now you can start exercising. Your workout should be a mix of exercises. I know it is fun to feel like skating, but you should not do only that during your workout.

#1. Lateral slides

• Stand on one end of the slide board with your foot closest to the bumper up against it.
• Bend your knees and hips - stay low
• Push off the bumper and slide across the board. Swing your arms as if skating.
• Glide until your other foot meets the opposite bumper. Cushion the impact by slightly bending your leg before immediately pushing off 
• Repeat in the opposite direction

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a medicine ball
• Wearing weighing elements
• Holding your stick in front of you and controlling the puck on a shooting pad (check out my article for the best shooting pads). 

#2. Lateral lunges

• Stand with the right foot off the end slide board (without the bootie) and the left foot on the board (with the bootie)
• Slide the left foot on the board (keep feet parallel) while bending the right leg (keep the knee above the toe) 
• At the same time lunge forward with a straight back
• Slide until your reach 90°Angle
• Slide back up
• Repeat and then switch leg
• Maintain proper form!

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a weight but only with the arm on the slide board side and keeping it centered

#3. Reversed lunges

• Stand with one foot off the board and one foot on the board facing a bumper
• Arms up at your chest
• Slide one foot backward with a slight bend
• Extend as far as you can while keeping your balance (best until front leg is bent at 90° Bend)
• Stand back up
• Alternate legs

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a weight but still at chest level

#4. Mountain climber

• Knees down on the board
• Hold one of the bumpers with your hands
• Go up on your toes, keep spine aligned
• Slide each foot to full extension alternatively, like climbing a mountain

#5. Back push

• Lay down on your slide board
• Arms slightly away from our body on each side
• Slide your feet back under your bottom
• Beware! Push is with the leg, not a pull from the back

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Having your arms further away from your body
• Doing it on one leg (the other one being straight up, aligned with the bent one)

#6. Sliding plank

• Move into plank position on the slide board 
• Keeping your arms in the same spot, slide backwards while not falling on the ground
• Slide back up to original position

3 steps to take care of your sliding board

1. Store it properly

The material must keep its integrity.
Always keep you slide board in a clean, dry and temperate room.
Protect it from any moisture and dust.

2. Set up

When setting up your slide board for practice, try the following:

• avoid direct sunlight for too long (to prevent warping of the surface)
• always set up on a flat surface without any rocks or uneven elements below
• set it up on a clean and dry surface
• never use it without the proper slippers - do not walk on it with normal shoes, you may create scratches on the surface
• And do not wear your slide booties outside of the slide board!

3. Clean it frequently

And, of course, you should clean it regularly to remove dust and maintain the sliding surface

• Clean it regularly with a clean towel and warm water - allow it to dry before use
• Once in a while treat the surface with a silicone spray or a slide polish - But always check recommendations on the manual first!

DIY sliding board

If you have a limited budget or just like doing things yourself, you can create a DIY slide board.
However, there are good chances that it won't slide as well.

Here are some instructions (improved from here):

Materials (around 25 USD)

• 4'x8' sheet plywood - Quantity 1
• 4'x8' board of melamine (white board) - Quantity 1
• 2x4x8 piece of wood - Quantity 1
• Liquid nails 
• 3/8" x 3" machine bolt - Quantity 8
• 3/8" wingnuts - Quantity 8
• Piece of foam (at least 2' long)
• Strong glue
• Silicon lubricant or furniture polish
• Antislip material (optional)

Tools

• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Caulk gun
• Drill
• Clean cloth

Instructions

1. Cut both boards to the length you need - it depends on your height (most boards are around 8 feet, but you can find between 6 and 12) - if you are not sure, know that you can place the bumper where you want at the end 
2. Cut both boards to half width - 2 ft is enough for the width of the slide board
3. Set your plywood flat on the ground - remove any dust or pieces of wood above
4. Run liquid nail all around the board at about 3/4 inch of the edge
5. Run liquid nail on the whole board drawing waves
6. Place the melamine board on top of the plywood (white surface facing the top) - apply pressure evenly to stick both boards together (you can walk over it wearing booties or socks)
7. Let the liquid nail dry out
8. ---
9. Cut the 2x4 to fit the width of your board
10. Drill 3/8" holes at both ends (not too close to the edge - 1" to 2" from the edge)
11. Line up the 2x4 with the edges of the board and drill all the way through
12. Bolt from below and fix with the wingnuts above
13. Try to slide and find the right position to do the same on the other side - or drill several holes at various distances to make it adjustable (to be used by different people)
14. Glue a piece of foam inside each bumper (to cushion the bump)
15. Clean up the melamine
16. Apply silicon lubricant or furniture polish onto the surface
17. Rub it in every little corner
18. Wipe away the excess product
19. Let it dry out completely
20. Reapply silicon lubricant or furniture polish to the surface - as needed after multiple uses.
21. Optional - attach or place anti-slip material under the board

Get slide board booties

Medical shoe covers without anti-slip material - or booties from fitness store

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With the puck flying fast and the stick moving all around, ice hockey can be dangerous for your teeth.
Wearing a mouthguard is essential. 
But which one? There are so many to choose from...
Below is my guide with the answers to your questions, the criteria to choose the best option for you and my selection of the best hockey mouthguards to consider.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best hockey mouthguards - summary

Ice hockey has many benefits. Wearing good protection limits the few negatives.
The mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment when playing ice hockey at any age.
You can choose a protection that is:

• resistant
• comfortable
• easy to clean
• with good shock absorption

It will prevent chipped or lost teeth, as well as soft tissue damage, in case of impact with a puck or a stick (they move quite high!).

In the following article, I will enter into details about the criteria to choose the best mouth guard options for you.
But let's start with an overview of my section of the best options to consider. Detailed reviews come further down in the article.

Absolute best hockey mouthguards - professional use

The absolute one is made by a dental specialist based on your dental imprint taken by your dentist. This is what professionals do.

Another way to have a custom mouthguard for cheaper, is to purchase an Impact custom one. They send you a kit to create the imprint, and once they receive it, they will create the guard custom to your mouth. However, it is not as ideal as the dental specialist's one as you take the imprint yourself without someone guiding you.

Best mouth-formed guards - Boil & Bite

4 different brands for you to consider. 

• Half-custom fit for better protection than stock guards
• Comfortable 
• Good value for protection, if you can't get custom ones
• The Guardlab product has a new development to improve even more the fit

Best hockey mouthguards for braces

For kids wearing braces, it is essential to purchase models that have been created especially for braces.
The material is a little softer and the shape adapted.

Mouthguards for those who have difficulty

Finally, if the player is having difficulty wearing a mouthguard:

• feeling like he/she can't breathe
• having headaches

Consider a system that is designed to breathe better. It is a little bigger but allows more airflow.

Mouthguard case

And if your guard does not come with a case, make sure to purchase one so that it lasts longer!

Ice Hockey Mouth Protections - FAQs

Before I list the most important criteria to help you choose your mouthguard and review the ones selected above, let me answer your most frequently asked questions about mouth protections for ice hockey.

Why wear a mouthguard when playing hockey?

A mouthguard is a useful protection when playing many sports.
In the case of hockey, the player can receive a puck or a stick in the face during the heat of the action. The pucks do travel fast!
A mouth guard protects:

• The teeth - this is the primary function of the guard
• The jaw - the jaw can be hit too. It does not protect the entire jaw, but as it absorbs the shock in can reduce jaw injuries.

When to wear it

At practice and during a game.
But also ,when practicing off-ice with a puck and sticks with friends on a shooting pad.

Do mouthguards actually work?

For teeth and jaws protection, yes. Scientific studies have demonstrated that they reduce the injuries.
Wearing a mouthguard reduces the number of fractured teeth.
According to the American Dental organization (ADA), an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard (source)

Do mouthguards prevent concussion?

One of the most frequent question asked by hockey parents is: do mouthguards prevent concussions.
As of today, no scientific study has concluded that they would be effective (either standard or fitted).

Maybe, if the blow is at a certain angle, the shock absorption could reduce the cranial impact. However, your best bet for protection is the helmet and a good maintenance of this helmet (don't forget that each impact reduces its effectiveness).

There is no study proving that, and it would depend on the position of the blow. But in certain instance, the shock absorption could reduce the internal cranial shock.

Is a hockey mouthguard the same as for other sports?

There is no specific requirement compared to other sports.
The most important is that it fits the mouth properly (see criteria in next section).

Should young kids wear mouthguards?

Considering kids do not have they definitive teeth, parents may wonder if wearing a mouthguard is a good idea and if it can have a negative impact on the dental structure.
Here are some points to consider:

• Losing a baby tooth prematurely can impact the child’s permanent tooth afterwards - the baby teeth help guide the adult teeth into the correct position
• It reduces the impact on the jaw and the foundations on which the permanent teeth do grow
• I have not seen any counter-recommendations for wearing a mouthguard young. Most designs start for kids age 6 or 7. However morphology of the mouth can vary a lot at this age. If pre-made guards do not fit properly, check with your dentist. He may create a special custom one.

How to get a child to wear a mouthguard?

Let's be honest, wearing a mouthguard is not the most enjoyable part of sport. But it is essential.
As a hockey mother, to help your kid wear one consider:

• First make sure it fits properly. A bad fit makes it very uncomfortable
• Choosing his/her favorite color - most brands offer many colors and cool designs
• Show his/her favorite NHL player wearing a mouthguard
• Add flavor to the mouthguard
• Choose a version with an extra opening for airflow, if he/she feels like breathing is difficult 

Note - if choosing a boil and bite protection for a kid, it may not hold naturally to the teeth like the adult versions do.  It is because children' teeth have less surface area to grip. 

How often should a mouthguard be changed?

Mouthguards should be changed:

• at least every year (length of most warranties)
• if there is wear and tear
• if the kid has grown significantly during the season

Best to bring it to your dentist to get his/her opinion.

What are the Official Rules? 

USA Hockey Rulebook
Rule 304 protective equipment (f) - source
"All players, including goalkeepers, in the 12 & under (Youth and Girls’) through Youth 18 & under (including High School) and Girls’ 19 & under age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. It is strongly recommended, in all classifications, that all players wear a mouthpiece form fitted by a dentist."

Hockey Canada Rule book
Rule 3.6 Protective equipment (g) - source
"For divisions of hockey that allow the wearing of the half visor, the wearing of a mouth guard is compulsory (recommended but optional for Senior hockey). When a player fails to properly wear a mouth guard at any time on the ice during the game, their team shall receive one warning. Any player on that team who commits a subsequent infraction will receive a Misconduct penalty. Referees are encouraged to deliver this warning directly to the Coach. "

How many NHL players wear them?

At the moment there are not rules that force NHL players to wear a mouthguard.
However, each NHL team has custom mouthguards molded specifically for each player.
It seems that 60% of player are wearing them, an increasing trend.
Broken teeth are not a cool factor anymore.

Read more hockey quotes and sayings

How to choose an ice hockey mouthguard - criteria

Types of mouthguards

There are 3 main types of mouthguards you can consider purchasing:

• Stock mouth guards
  Models you can buy where one size fits all (well 2 or 3 sizes: youth / adults) and start using right away 
  Pros - direct use upon receiving, cheaper
  Cons - not-customizable, less effective, limits breathing (as the player needs to hold it in place)
• Mouth-formed (a.k.a. Boil and Bite)
  Most common type of mouth protectors. System to customize a little to the teeth layout.
  Process 1- Boil and Bite - Made of thermoplastic, they can be boiled to soften the material so that it molds to the teeth
  Process 2 - Shell-liner -made of acrylic material -it is poured into an outer shell, creating a lining that is molded with the player's mouth.
  Pros - good middle ground, partially customized
  Cons - limited in size (does not always cover all the teeth)
• Custom-made
  Made to your dental imprint by a dental professional. Everyone's jaw and teeth implantation is different. With a custom protection, it is best adapted to the player's needs.
  Pros - best protection, best comfort, can be adapted to braces and orthodontics, less likely to fall out accidentally
  Cons - more expensive

Shapes

When purchasing stock or mouth-formed products, check out the shape.
As they are not custom-made, the companies create different shapes to adapt to various mouth shapes:

• Youth vs adult versions
• Mouthguard for braces
• With added airflow

Strapped / Strapless

The strap is used to secure the mouth guard to the helmet.
Some straps also have a safety release feature for the guard to break away under a certain amount of pressure.

• the straps help coaches and officials see that the player is wearing a protection
• the straps reduce the risk of losing or damaging the guard

Material

Different materials are used to create mouthguards. Make sure you choose one that is:

• Water-resistant (contact with saliva)
• Resistant (no point in buying one every month)
• Health-safe - e.g. BPA-free
• Shock absorption - Rthylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Polyurethane (PU) are some of the best 
• Easy to clean

Comfort / Fit

This is one of the most important criteria to consider.
If the mouthguard is not comfortable, it means that:

• The player will not want to wear it
• It does not fit properly, thus protects less

The player might need to try several brands before finding the right one.

Color / Style

There are so many styles of mouth protectors! The manufacturers are having fun, for example:

• Clear
• Branded
• One color
• With drawings such as teeth of camouflage
• With flavors - yes, you can even find some with specific flavors such as raspberry, lemon lime, mint, bubble gum...

Dental warranty

Some products come with a dental warranty - the company will pay for dental costs in case of an injury. But make sure you read the fine prints, there are lots of conditions, including sometimes registering your gum shield.

Reviews of the best mouthguards for ice hockey players - Boil & Bite

Review of Shock Doctor Gel Max mouthguard

• Brand - Shock Doctor
• Type - Boil & Bite
• Material / Design - Gel-fit Liner Technology + Exoskeletal Shock Frame + Triple Layer
• Strapped or strapless (convertible tether)
• Flavor - optional
• Colors - many colors available
• Sizes - Youth and Adult
• Comes with case - no

Buy it - See colors / Read reviews

Review of Guardlab Apex mouthguard

• Brand - Guardlab
• Type - Boil & Bite - with “APEX Bite Pattern” that pre-indents where to bite - best for accurate fit - Recognized improvement for best fitting to your mouth!
• Material / Design - using 3D printing - material said to be 150% more absorbent
• Strapless
• Flavor - no
• Colors - several colors available
• Sizes - Small, Medium and Large
• Made in USA
• Comes with case - yes

Buy it - See colors / Read reviews

Review of SISU Aero mouthguard

Review of Oral Mart mouthguard

• Brand - Oral Mart
• Type - Boil & Bite 
• Material / Design - Inner Gel Layer + Outer Impact layer
• Strapless
• Flavor - no
• Colors - many colors available
• Sizes - youth (12 and below)
• Comes with case - yes

Buy youth version - See colors / Read reviews

Buy Adult version - See colors / Read reviews

Reviews of best hockey mouthguards for braces

Review of Shock Doctor Double Braces mouthguard

• Brand - Shock doctor
• Type - Stock - No molding
• Protects both upper and lower teeth
• Material / Design - medical grade silicone - designed to sit on top of the brackets + integrated ventilation channels
• Strapped or Strapless
• Flavor - no
• Colors - 4 colors 
• Sizes - Under 12 or over 12
• Comes with case - no
• Made in the USA
• Dental warranty

Buy it - see colors / Read reviews

Review of Shock Doctor Braces mouthguard

• Brand - Shock doctor
• Type - Stock - No molding
• Protects the upper teeth only
• Material / Design - medical grade silicone - designed to sit on top of the brackets + integrated ventilation channels
• Strapped or Strapless
• Flavor - no
• Colors - 5 colors 
• Sizes - Youth or Adult
• Comes with case - no
• Dental warranty

Buy it - See colors / Read reviews

Best ice hockey mouthguard for airflow

Review of Shock Doctor Max Airflow mouthguard

• Brand - Shock doctor
• Type - Stock - No molding
• 10% more flow capacity via Airflow breathing channel
• Material / Design - Shock Doctor polymers and integral bite pads - Design made to relax the jaw and not block the breathing channel
• Strapped or Strapless (Quick release tether)
• Works with Braces
• Flavor - no
• Colors - several colors available 
• Sizes - Youth or Adult
• Comes with case - no
• Dental warranty

Buy it - see colors / Read reviews

Custom hockey mouthguard 

Review of Impact custom mouthguard

• Brand - Impact Custom mouthguard
• Type - Custom - easy to use impression kit, includes paid postage to dental lab
• Material / Design - 5mm, heavy impact absorbent, optimal oxygen flow
• Strapped or Strapless (Quick release tether)
• Works with Braces
• Flavor - no
• Colors - many colors and styles available 
• Sizes - custom
• Comes with case - yes

Buy it - See colors / Read reviews

How to take care of your hockey mouthpiece

It is essential to take good care of a mouthguard because:

• If it is damaged, it will not protect as well
• If it is not clean, it can gather bacteria - this could lead to a infection

6 steps to take care of your guard

1. Rinse before and after each use
2. Check after each use to see if there is any wear and tear (replace if this is the case)
3. Do not expose the mouth guard to sun or hot water (to minimize distortion of its shape)
4. Do a regular deep cleaning (see next paragraph)
5. Bring it to your dentist for her/him to check it out and advise on wear and tear
6. When not in your mouth, keep it protected in a case that is sturdy and has vents for air circulation. Guard must not bend inside.

How to do a deep cleaning of a mouth guard

• Option 1
  Brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste 
• Option 2
  Clean in cool water with soap and rinse thoroughly
• Option 3
  Soak it in denture cleaner / mouthwash
• Option 4
  Clean with specific mouthguard cleaners

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Want to work on your hockey skills off the ice? There are now many solutions making it possible. 
Below is my guide to help you find the best hockey shooting pads for your needs: durability, quality of the slide, ease of setting-up...
Great options to work on your shooting and stick-handling skills.

They make great gift ideas for hockey players!

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best hockey shooting pads - Summary

Time to practice on the ice is limited. So, if you want an edge (or even just because you love it), shooting pads are a great solution to practice both your shooting skills and your stick-handling skills.
However for them to be useful they need to be:

• of good performance - stable and sliding well, as close as possible to ice
• durable - you don't want them to break on the first practice!
• adapted to your needs - is it a fixed set up or do you need to move it frequently?

I will enter into the details of criteria and products in the next sections. But first, this is the summary of my choices for best hockey shooting pads:

Best hockey shooting pad - stiff board format

• Smooth glide
• Easy to move with a handle
• Option to purchase with or without a passer to help with practice

You can find higher-end product, but the reality is that none can really compete with ice. It can't be as smooth. Read the reviews and you will see that price does not really mean better surface.

Best hockey shooting tiles (interlocking)

• Create the surface shape and size you want - great to maximize your training options and practice with a friend
• However, you want to choose the location, set it up and not move it
• Option is to have a kit with color-coded tiles and passers, in order to practice specific skills with accuracy 

Best hockey shooting training surface - synthetic ice

• A more complete off-ice training experience: you can skate on them! 
• Buy as many panels as you want and create the rink size you need for practice
• More expensive
• However, note that it is not ice. It cannot be as smooth as ice. This is as close as you can get with a manufactured surface.
• Learn more on my article about the best synthetic ice for hockey training

Note: remember that they do imitate ice. So, they are slippery when walking on them! Be careful.

How to choose a hockey shooting board

Why do your need a shooting board?

Time to practice on the ice is sadly limited (unless you have your own private ice rink... one can dream).
This is no reason not to practice though. Even if you can't skate, you can still work on other elements of hockey playing:

• stick-handling of the puck
• shooting

You can try practicing on the ground, but your stick will get damaged and the sensation is just too different.
This is why you need a specific off-ice training equipment: a shooting surface. It imitates the ice for your stick to glide on it.

But how to choose it?

Different formats are possible: 

• pads (stiff boards)
• interlocking tiles
• synthetic ice

They can all be a good option. It really depends on your needs and budget.
Therefore, I am listing below the different criteria to consider when choosing the best shooting board for you.

Note - if practicing on shooting pads with friends, don't forget your mouthguards (the puck can go fast and stick can go up!)

Material - quality of surface

The first criteria that is essential is that the surface allows your pucks and stick to glide. Otherwise, there is no point.
This is why the most important here is to read the reviews on the marketplaces. This is how you will know if the claims of how slick the surface is, are really true.

However, note that it can never be as smooth as ice!

Durability

You don't want a shooting pad that is slick for 5 practices and then it is over.
It is quite an investment.
However, take the reviews with a grain of salt; Some will complain that their pads are not working any longer, but they might not have cleaned them or may have left them outside for dust and elements to fall on them.

Portability - where will it be used

Where will you practice?
In a fixed place in the basement, in the garage and sometimes outdoors? Do you need to move it?
The answers to those questions have a big impact on your choice.

Think it through before buying anything, otherwise you may regret your purchase.

The best option if your need a portable board, is the pad. Most of them have a handle, making them easier to transport.
The tiles should not be attached and de-attached frequently if you want to keep a smooth surface.

Size - how large should your shooting pad be?

For the pad, you have no choice, they are a fixed size.
However, if you are using tiles, you can add has many as you want in both directions. It gives you more flexibility on defining your training surface.

The size of your surface should be based on:

• your budget
• the space you have to set it up
• what you want to work on (a bigger surface means more exercises possible) - passing exercises, for example, required more space.
• the size of the player

You need at least enough room to do wide movements in both directions, otherwise there is no point.
 A 4ft-long pad feet is borderline in terms of space for an eight-year-old to practice wrist shots.

Price

• Stiff boards and roll-up mats are normally some of the cheaper options
• The price of tiles will depend on how many you purchase. The surface is often bigger, so the price is normally higher. Plus, you can start small, and add as your budget increase.
• The synthetic ice is the most expensive option, as it is a more technical product that offers you the possibility to skate on it.
• The cheapest option is a DIY shooting board. See instructions at the end of this article. But know that the quality of the glide cannot be the same.

Reviews of the shooting pads

Pros of the boards

• Easy to transport
• Do not need large surface to practice

Cons of the boards

• Limited size
• Cannot skate on them

Hockey Revolution board only

• Brand - Hockey Revolution
• Size - 30x60in
• 3/16 in thick, shooting surface of 1/8 inches thick
• Portability: handle
• Available with or without a passer to add other types of exercises
• Can be used with an interactive training system
• Made in Europe
• Puck slides great

A good training set to practice many exercises. Recognized as a very smooth surface.

Sniper's Edge Shooting pad

• Brand - Sniper's Edge
• Size - 3 sizes available (34x48 in - 28x52 in - 30x60 in) - from 8 years old, the bigger size is recommended
•  3/16 Inch Thick
• Portability: Handle
• Material: Slick Silicone Infused Surface
• Can be set up on almost all surfaces - indoor and outdoor
• Made in the USA
• Does not roll up
• Puck slides great

An overall good product for the price. The variety of size allow parents to purchase a small one for very young kids, before making a bigger investment.
The handle is practical to move it out of the way after practice.

Reviews of the best shooting tiles - options for large shooting pads

Pros of the tiles

• Size you want
• Shape you want
• Easy to assemble

Cons of the tiles

• Not as easy to move to another location
• Cannot skate on them

Review of the Sniper's Edge Tiles

• Size of tile - 12x12 in
• Quantity pack - 20 tiles in a pack
• Material - premium grade with UV coated protection, weatherproof coating - can be used outside on blacktop, concrete, sport court and inside in garage or basement.
• Easy to assemble - tiles just snap together
• Available in blue and white
• Made in the USA
• Puck slides great

An excellent quality - price performance, considering the size of the practice area you can create

Review of the Hockey Revolution Tiles

• Size of tile - 13x13 inches
• Quantity pack - 4, 8, 15, 20 or 40 tiles in a pack
• Material - can use them in both indoor and outdoor 
• Easy to assemble - tiles just snap together
• Made in Europe
• Puck slides great

Review of the Hockey practice set

• Size of tile - combination = 91 x 39.4 x 0.43 inches
• Quantity pack - 21 tiles - with a mix of colors and symbols (15 white, 6 colored)
• Material - can use them both indoor and outdoor 
• Set includes 2 passers and an application
• Made in Europe
• Puck slides great

A great combination of products if you want more guidance for your off-ice training. The combos will make you work on a variety of drills and stick-handling manoeuvres. It is especially good because the app makes you react rather than repeat the same movement.

Reviews of the best shooting surface - synthetic ice

Pros of the synthetic ice

• Size you want
• Shape you want
• Can skate on them

Cons of the synthetic ice

• Not easy to move to another location
• Need even more maintenance to avoid damaging your skates

Skate anytime Ice

One of the best synthetic ices to practice for hockey is the Skate Anytime material:

• They have a starter kit with only 8 panels, but you can add to them or get kits with 20, 36, 60 or 136 panels! Up to an ultimate rink!
• The tiles assemble easily 
• Indoor or outdoor - Lab tested for UV and sunlight protection and warm weather
• 5 years manufacturer warranty
• Many raving fans
• Just know that the skating needs some getting used to as it is not ice. It is as close as possible with manufactured material, but it cannot be ice.

How to take care of your shooting pads and tiles

As you practice and practice on your pads and tiles, the more the surface is going to lose sliding efficiency.
It is because there is a buildup of dirt and rubber.

However, it is essential they remain slick for the quality of your training.

• Before anything: Read the manual for tips specific to your surface.
• When not in use, protect them with a plastic cover or tarp, to reduce the quantity of dust falling on them (don't use fabric covers, as pieces of fabric may fall on the surface and create imperfections)
• Clean them up frequently so as to avoid frustration and change in slickness
• Even if they say you can park on it, don't - try to set them up in a place dedicated to training so as to limit interaction with shoes and others... you don't want to spend an hour cleaning before each practice
• If compatible with the material (check the manual) - Spray an all-purpose cleaner, stand on a clean and absorbent towel and shuffle your feet around the surface. Some also spray furniture polish after that.

3 Drills to practice & other equipment to help

There are many more you can do, check with your coach and check videos online. And don't forget to wear your hockey gloves to imitate on-ice practice!
But to get you started, here are 3 drills you can practice on those shooting pads or tiles - to be part of your hockey off-ice workouts:

Stick controlled jumps

• Pick up a puck off the surface with your stick
• Make it move along your stick by tiny jumps
• Try on both side of the stick

Flip pucks into bucket

• Dump several pucks on your surface
• Place a bucket in the middle
• Try flipping the puck straight it (or flip in the air and smack it down)

Make it more fun by training with a friend and counting how many times it goes in or not.

Figure 8

• Set up 2 pucks in front of you in front of your 2 feet
• Draw a figure 8 around them with your stick
• Set the pucks in front of each other and repeat
• You can add pucks to increase the challenge of moving the stick around

Complete your set up - other off-ice equipment to practice

You can also get further off-ice training equipment to help you practice your stick-handling and shooting:

• Pucks, of course, to be able to repeat your exercises several times in a row
• Goal targets or strong tarp with a goalie to practice precision of your shooting (but don't buy low quality as it will rip very fast) - see my article about the best hockey targets
• Passers rebounders - to imitate receiving a pass - see best options
• A training aid to create more shapes to practice around with your stick - see best options
• And you can combine with a slide board to imitate the skating - see the best slide boards for hockey training
• Or combine with a balance board to improve balance and hand-eye coordination - see the best balance boards for hockey training

Homemade hockey shooting pad DIY - how to make your own

If you budget is limited, it is possible to create your own shooting pad for cheaper.
However, know that the materials available at the hardware store will not be as slick.

1. Decide the size you want your pad to be (length and width)
2. Buy boards at the hardware store - options are melamine boards, thrifty tiles or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) boards 
3. Apply silicon lubricant or furniture polish onto the surface
4. Rub it in every little corner 
5. Wipe away the excess of product
6. Let it dry out completely
7. Reapply silicon lubricant or furniture polish to the surface - as needed after multiple uses.

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Time on the ice is limited. To become a better hockey player, you must add exercise routines outside the rink. Below are my top 10 selection of off-ice hockey training equipment to help you improve your performance in terms of balance, power, hand-eye coordination, reflexes...

This article does not list the typical weights to list and home gym equipment, I guess you know all these already.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Choose your figure skating off-ice training equipment

What must hockey player work on, when off the ice?

There are 9 types of training a hockey player should be focusing on, when working our off-ice:  

• Speed
• Balance
• Explosiveness 
• Endurance
• Strength
• Coordination
• Mental strength
• Strategy
• Flexibility

Learn more about each of them in my off-ice hockey training introduction article.

How to work on them?

All of them can be worked on without any equipment with exercises using only the weight of the body.
However, using specialized equipment can bring a lot to the off-ice training routine:

• Variety of exercises
• Types of exercises mimicking the hockey moves (not possible without any accessories) - spinning, sliding, gliding, mastering the puck...
• Increase the intensity of an exercise

Therefore, I have collected for you 10 of the best pieces of equipment to help you train off-ice. They can be great gifts for hockey players.

Note: always check out with a doctor or physiotherapist before practicing physical activities - and if you are a parent, always supervise off-ice training of the younger ones.

And if you want to take notes and see your progress, check out my specialized journal:

#1 Slide Board 

What you work on

• Endurance - high intensity exercise low impact
• Balance - some exercises are focusing on balance and stability
• Explosiveness / power

How it helps your hockey skills

• Practicing on a sliding board is the closest to skating you can get, at home, to performing the skating stride
• It will improve your endurance with the lower body flexion, as if you are skating around the rink
• It will work your core muscles to improve balance - this is essential to all aspects of ice hockey: skating fast, avoiding the opponent, 

#2 Hockey Shooting Pads / Floor Tiles

What you work on

• Hand-eye coordination - as you master the glide of the puck
• Reflexes - especially if playing with someone else or with a pass master
• Stick handling techniques

How it helps your hockey skills

• Well, this is what mimics best the movement of the puck on the ice. It allows you to practice your techniques and drills on the ice, even if you can't be at the rink
• You can work on moving the stick around the puck - controlling its position and direction
• You can work on catching the puck
• And combined with the following equipment, you can practice shooting.
• Note - if playing on shooting pads with friends, don't forget your mouthguard (the puck can go fast and stick can go up!)
• And don't forget to wear your hockey gloves, to imitate on-ice practice!

How to choose

• Portability vs size - depending on what you want to work on and how (fixed in a room or moving to outside), you can choose what is best adapted
• Check reviews for the quality of the surface and how it slides
• Check reviews for durability
• Learn more on my article about the best hockey shooting pads and tiles

Looking for something even more advance to even skate off-ice?

Check out the Skate Anytime impressive synthetic ice:

Or you can read my article about the best synthetic ice tiles for for hockey.

#3 Pass Master / Rebounding trainer

What you work on

• Hand-eye coordination and
• Reflexes - as the pucks rebound and imitates having another player
• To practice passing the puck

How it helps your hockey skills

• This is to use in combination of the shooting pad or tiles (if not included in a kit)
• Training alone on the shooting pad has limits. The pass master or rebounding training equipment helps mimic having another player react to your moves.
• This type of equipment requires you to be precise in where you are shooting and reactive as it come back to you

How to choose

• Check on which surfaces you can use it and how well it holds
• Check reviews for durability
• Check size for your level
• See my article about the best passers rebounders of all shapes

#4 Stick Handling Training Aid

What you work on

• Hand-eye coordination - This is perfect to have the puck go in many directions as well as abruptly change direction... you get to react with your stick to catch it
• Reflexes - To master fast passing techniques
• Stickhandling techniques

How it helps your hockey skills

• In ice hockey, the puck can be coming from anywhere. The pace is very fast, and you must be ready to detect the puck and react very fast. As you are alone it can be difficult to practice. This tool helps mimic receiving passes from all directions.
• And you also use it to master your control of the puck as you move around it
• And you can also use them on the ice if you have a solid frozen pond nearby!

How to choose

• Check out its versatility - how can you combine the legs, what shapes you can create, so that you can vary your training and practice more potential moves
• Check reviews for durability
• Learn more on my article about the best hockeys stick handling tools and trainers

And don't forget to hydrate as you train:

#5 Goal & Goalie Shooter Tutor

What you work on

• Hand-eye coordination - You need to use your stick appropriately to pass the goalkeeper
• Endurance - if you work on them repetitively
• Shooting techniques
• Shooting accuracy

How it helps your hockey skills

• Well, the goal of hockey is to shoot the puck past the goalie... so when you don't have someone to play the goalie at home, this is the next best thing!

How to choose

• Good size for the size of your goal
• Waterproof if you want to use it outside
• Careful, most fake goalies should not be used with full weight pucks as they can destroyed them quickly
• Learn more on my article about the best targets, shooter tutors and shooting tarps

#6 Drill Set - trick hot kit

What you work on

• Hand-eye coordination - for accuracy shooting
• Plus, it is a wonderful game to play at a party with people from all levels (even beginners). It is often a big hit

How it helps your hockey skills

• It is more sold as a game, but you can really work on your accuracy with the small net
• You can vary your exercise by placing it in various locations: for example, up a staircase
• Plus, you can take it anywhere!

#7 Balance Board Trainer

What you work on

• Balance
• Coordination and agility
• To be able to move fast on the ice and react to the position of other hockey players

How it helps your hockey skills

• You will be building on core strength to improve balance on your ice skates
• You will have to coordinate all your muscles to keep balance and maybe do tricks
• This is needed to be able to move fast on the ice and avoid all the other players by changing your point of balance quickly

How to choose

• Good size for your feet
• The 2 best types of hockey players are Roller board or wobble board
• Check the weight limit
• Make sure it has a good grip surface
• Learn more on my article about the best balance boards for hockey training

#8 Jump Box

What you work on

• Explosiveness / power - as you push to reach the top of the cube

How it helps your hockey skills

• Pushing on the ice requires a lot of explosiveness to improve performance - you need to be able to accelerate and change direction very fast. Making your muscles able to power up very quickly is essential. Repetitive jumps on such a box helps.

How to choose

• Check the material - you want something of good quality with anti-slip system 
• Choose a box that allows you to evolve and increase difficulty (different sizes on each side)
• Check reviews for durability and stability of the box

#9 Sliding Discs

What you work on

To increase core training

• Balance - these discs are good to increase the intensity of your core strength exercises.
• Reflexes - there is always a movement and your body must adjust quickly as soon as it slides.

How it helps your hockey skills

• It helps with all aspects of ice hockey as you will be increasing your workout on core strength and flexibility
• Better control of skating, turns, avoidance moves and body position for shooting

How to choose

• Check diameter is sufficient for your hand size
• Check out reviews for durability

#10 Book for Mental Strength

What you work on

• Mental strength

How it helps your hockey skills

It is often easier to work on the body than on the mind. But a strong mental state is also key for success as a hockey player.
The list is long. You can:

• Read about techniques and stories of great athletes - Read the many books focused on Athlete mentality
• Understand mindfulness
• Focus on positive thinking
• Enjoy visualization
• Practice meditation
• ...
• and check out my selection of 35 ice hockey quotes.

Take notes about the best plays:

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