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About This Page: This is a discussion on Hockey Players Forum within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. 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
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.
__________________ Some people are like slinkeys, they serve no purpose but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
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.
__________________ "But it wasn’t like last year, where it was just kinda … we had trouble stopping beach balls at times." -Dean Lombardi
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.
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.
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.
__________________ 8/5/08, I predict the Kings will finish between 20th and 25th in 08-09.
OK. After I finally decided to buy the mask online we drove out to Discount Hockey just to see if any small equipment was on sale. They had the effing mask I just ordered and couldn't find ANYWHERE. He tried it on and it fits awesome. only about 1/2" space away from the chin cup. I had him try on both the Jr 1400 and the 2500. the 2500 is supposed to be a bigger better built mask but it was tight on his head in one area. the 2500 has a hard plastic foam compared to the softer foam on the 1400. the 2500 is painted and the 1400 is a decal but we think the 1400 is actually the best for him for now.
oh, and after I got home from discount hockey I tried to cancel the online order. go figure, they shipped it already so I'll have to return that one. Next questionhaha, sorry.
Since most seasons are coming to an end, do most companies have closeout sales on equipment of last years models? His leg pads are in decent condition but his glove & blocker are pretty bad since we use them in the driveway for practice and he scrapes them on the concrete.
Thanks again to all the goalies that have helped me recently with info. I'd give you all gifts if LGK still had them. Yes, I am bitter bout that
i'm just going to post in this thread because you asked.
used masks are teh yuck. but then again i'm sorta kinda high maintenance.
whatever fits works.
nice mask you got there for teh kiddie. that's about similar to the kind i used.
good job hoho.
and obviously have no idea about teh sales since you know my situation.
lastly: MUSTACHE RIDE!!!
and i miss teh gifts also. :(
__________________ "the king o' drinks, as i conceive it,
talisker, isla, or glenlivet!"
--robert louis stevenson
Yea there will be sales but if you look hard you can find discounts and close outs all the time. Discount Hockey/Encore Sports out in Woodland Hill used to have a great sale in August but haven't been invited to it in years...
FYI Discount hockey / Encore sports is no longer off Shuop on Ventura. They are in an industrial area off the 101 in Agoura Hills now.
Do they still have little to no inventory? I'm still amazed they're still in business - a store that apparently sells primarily online, but the prices are like those of your local retail hockey store. They're also not really the local hockey store because they have virtually nothing in the store.
Looks like a decent mask you got him there. I would caution you that once he starts facing harder shots and stiffer competition to switch him to another mask, one more suitable for higher level of play.
And yes, there are closeouts and discounts all the time. Basically anytime a manufacturer comes out with an updated design, the old stuff gets thrown in the bargain bin. Great way to find high quality stuff at good prices.
I'm not sure where you are, or if you're aware of them, but Hockey Giant (Anaheim) and Hockey Monkey (Santa Ana) have a much better selection of equipment then Encore. Encore is great if you know what you want, but if you want selection, go to HG and/or HM.
I've been hesitant to reply to this thread, simply because I am a goalie that does not ever, under any circumstances, skimp on a mask. I am not going to be a concus'd douchebag because I decided to pay 2000 for my custom reeeb0kkzzz premiere set and my widowmaker (itech 1200) mask.
that said, were talking 2000+ borns
I'd cautiously submit that a combo would be adequate for mite and squirt only.
Beyond that, kids are going to start regularly learning how to get the puck off the ice and have the strength to do it. At that point, its time for a real mask.
Goalies. I need your advise 
nosoupforyou
