Everyone knows you need skates to play hockey, but what you may not know is that goalie skates are different from other hockey skates. Goalies have a different job than the rest of the players, and just as they have different pads and helmets, goalies also have different skates. Goalie skates are designed to allow specific motion and movement ranges that other players don’t need. They also provide additional protection that the goalie needs to protect against injuries that aren’t a risk in other positions.
If you’re a goalie, standard hockey skates won’t cut it. Here’s what you need to know about skates especially designed for goalies.
Blade Shape and Length
A standard hockey skate has a naturally curved blade with pronounced angles. The blades on goalie skates are longer and thicker. The goalie doesn’t need to move quickly up and down the ice. They need side-to-side power and stability. The longer and thicker skate blade allows the goalie to push off the ice and move quickly side-to-side. In addition to being thicker than a standard hockey skate blade, goalie skates also have flat rather than angled blades. These blades also contribute to better stability and sideways movement on the ice.
Sharpening Techniques
Goalie skates need to maintain their edges, but the way we sharpen them depends on the player’s goalkeeping style. Broadly speaking, there are two types of goalies: butterfly and stand-up. A butterfly goalie moves up and down, using their legs and knees to stop the puck. The stand-up goalie relies more on the stick and pads. The two styles of goalkeeping put different stresses on the skates, so we sharpen the blades according to the goalie’s preferred style for optimal performance.
Sizing Differences
Getting the perfect fit for a hockey skate is essential. The fit for goalies and other players is similar. You want a snug fit, toes touching the front of the boot. Many players opt for a smaller size than they usually wear, anywhere from a half size to a size and a half smaller than their regular shoe size. Goalies usually size down as well, but they often choose a larger width to minimize foot and ankle discomfort.
