Thread: Goalies. I need your advise

So, many of you know my kid started playing goalie recently. He just made a summer team, 6 years old and made the squirt team.

To the real reason I am asking for advise. I have researched masks pleanty now but not until today did he go try one on. They only had junior masks at the place he went to and it fit snug on his head but the chin cup was a little low. Do I get a junior mask and add a bit of padding inside it at the chin cup area or try and find a youth mask and see if it's a better fit for now and get a junior mask next year.

Also, I know the construction on the junior masks are better built for safety than the youth masks so that's a big dilema for me. Along with the fact that junior sized ones put you in a better selection of masks decor.

mask sizes:
Youth 6 - 6 5/8
Junior 6 1/2 - 7 1/8
not much of a difference and even some overlap but we are talking about my kids noggin here.

no help? hmmmm, and I thought all goalies were awesome from the last thread. come on people help me on this.

I'd get a mask that fit him. get a used one if you feel he is going to outgrown one quickly and want to save some $.

ill fitting masks have a way of falling off.

I played goalie in my youth between 8-13 years old off and on (that and left wing). When I played I used a Cloutier cage mainly for the same reasons he does: I felt more comfortable with it, could see more imo, and felt i had a little more mobility. Find something that fits him snuggly and will not fall off and also something that he is comfortable wearing. I can't really give you recommendations on sizes because it was so long ago, I would just experiment and feel around the sizes to learn for yourself in the store. It wouldn't hurt to maybe ask some of the other parents or coach about this issue too.

On a squirt team he most likely will not be seeing too many high shots...So I would go with what is comfortable. You might even consider a normal players helmet with a dangler for throat protection. I second the advice on buying used...Check craigslist.

Originally Posted by HrudeyRules

On a squirt team he most likely will not be seeing too many high shots...So I would go with what is comfortable. You might even consider a normal players helmet with a dangler for throat protection. I second the advice on buying used...Check craigslist.

Squirts can shoot high all day long. 75% of his mites travel team can rock the top shelf too.

Honestly I'm not into used helmets. I had someone give us a used helmet for his first one and it's kinda gross IMO. I'd prefer to just buy him a new one. well, my mom came by the house and offered to by the mask for him (score). lil turd is spoiled.

I can see buying used leg pads, maybe glove & blocker but if it's been worn a lot there is not enough Fabreeze in the world to get that funk out of them and I prefer hiim having his own funk smell in them.

Back to the mask issue. Does anyone know if a junior mask that the chin cup doesn't sit right can be altered or additional padding be added above the chin cup?

I talked to a buddy / goalie that has 2 kids playing goal and one likes it fitting snug and the other likes a mask that is a little loose so I guess that part is a comfort prefenence.

Go to modsquadhockey.com. Best place on the web for hockey equipment questions and advice. They have a goalie equipment forum.

Unfortunately I didn't pickup playing goal until I was a teenager. If you live close to Anaheim, either of the big shops (HockeyMonkey/HockeyGiant) should be able to help you. Most of the time it comes down to personal preference.....even if a squirt may have no idea what he prefers. Might be a better investment to get the junior mask anyways since I'm sure your kid is growing. You could maybe just try to see if there's a shorter replacement strap that goes with the chin cup so that it would fit snug.

Okay, after reading this a couple times I think I understand the problem. So the mask is too long, and the chin cup when tightened all the way still doesn't fit securely on your son's chin? Interesting problem, and I'm not sure what the best advice is. If the mask fits in every other regard, I might be tempted to buy it regardless and see if I could rig up something to tighten up the chin cup. The downside to this is your son might experience difficulty in looking down, since the mask is too long in that dimension.

Personally, if the mask is snug and fits well, I don't see a whole lot of need for the chin cup. In my experience it usually just gets in my way and sometimes interferes with the colar of my chest protector. Still, it being your son and all, I'd find a way to make the chin cup sit correctly.

Also, I doubt you would, but don't cheap out and let him wear a player helmet. Wear the equipment designed for the position. Player helmets aren't designed for puck impacts. Masks are.