7 Gifts For Hockey Players For the Ultimate Performance Boost
Finding gifts for hockey players in your life takes effort.
Sure, you can get sticks, skates, or helmets.
But it’s likely they already have the equipment they need and prefer.
You’re better off getting them a gift certificate so they can take the time to pick out their gear of choice.
But if there’s one thing that will give you brownie points, it’s a gift that will contribute to their performance.
Get Thoughtful Gifts for the Hockey Players in Your Life
Hockey players strive to be faster, stronger, more accurate, and well-conditioned.
The game is fast-paced and physical.
SEE WHY THE THE ORIGINAL SYNTHETIC ICE TILE DEVELOPED BY POLYGLIDE ICE LEADS THE PACK!
While hockey is lots of fun, the more you play, the more you search for ways to be better than your opponents.
If you’re shopping for the hockey player in your life and you’re struggling for ideas, you’re in luck.
We have 7 of the best gifts for hockey players that focus on improving their performance.
Get High-Performance Wear
When you first start playing hockey, you invest in the bare minimum.
As you figure out your position, style of play, and strengths, you get the appropriate gear to maximize those attributes.
For some, that means a lighter hockey stick or faster skates.
But it should not stop there.
Even the gear you wear can contribute to your performance.
Well-designed gear with a proper fit allows for better strides, faster turns, and smoother performances.
Some keep you warm enough to give that little extra effort needed in crunch time.
Grab the hockey player in your life some performance gear to give them the extra edge on the ice.
1. STX Stallion 300 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Hockey players need padding that’s durable, powerful and allows for optimal movement.
The STX Stallion 300 shoulder pads offer superior protection and comfort for any senior hockey player.
The lightweight materials make it a perfect gift for power players without sacrificing mobility.
At the same time, target zones like the shoulders, chest, and ribs are fortified to protect the body and distribute forces.
2. Under Armour Men’s ColdGear Leggings
It doesn’t matter who you are or how long you’ve been playing ice hockey. It gets cold. The chill can slow you down as the game wears on. You can’t bundle up on the ice, so you need clothing that can keep you as warm as possible without impacting your performance.
The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are essential for staying warm and comfortable in chilly conditions.
The dual-layer fabric helps keep you warm on the inside while dying quickly on the outside. It’s the best way for the hockey player in your life to stay warm and dry without impacting performance.
Train Like a Pro at Home
What you do off the ice impacts your performance just as much – if not more – than what you do on it.
Off the ice is where you build strength, flexibility, and mobility.
Off-ice training translates into harder, faster shots, more vigorous checks, and improved balance.
It’s where you can work on the fine details of your puck handling, shooting, and conditioning.
If you’re on the hunt for a gift for hockey players, don’t focus only on gear for the ice but also on the things that can help them off the ice.
Here are two cool off-ice gift ideas.
3. PolyGlide Synthetic Ice Pro-Glide Infused Panel
Synthetic ice tiles are connected to create indoor and outdoor rinks.
With just one panel of synthetic ice, however, hockey players can work on stick handling, moving in tight spaces, and much more.
These panels are made of special hybrid Polyethylene that are extremely close to the look and feel of actual ice.
They can be used on any flat surface inside or outside throughout the year, making them the perfect off-ice training tool.
While you can buy multiple tiles to build an entire at-home rink, you only need one panel to practice close control with your hockey stick, balance, or other technically difficult skills.
Grab a panel and a hockey net with goal targets to practice these skills and your shooting power and accuracy.
4. TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer Bundle
Powerful arms, a strong core, and a lower body are the attributes of a competent hockey player.
Consistent work on these muscle groups can help players achieve their maximum potential in these areas.
But it’s more than spamming bench presses and squats in the gym.
You also need explosive and functional strength, ensuring muscles can go through their full range of motion (ROM) without discomfort.
Investing in a suspension trainer like the TRX can help hockey players achieve this and much more.
Hook these bands up to a door or any sturdy overhead anchor point (think rafters or beams) to execute hundreds of exercises.
TRX bands are known for their durability and versatility.
Perform hundreds of push, pull, lunge, and plank exercises to keep you pliable and explosive while building the muscles needed to be an excellent hockey player.
It’s also great for plyometric sessions on days off or for physical therapy following injury.
On the road and need a gym?
Grab your bands and get to work.
For the ultimate boost in hockey performance, TRX bands are the gift that keeps on giving.
The Gift of Recovery
The best athletes focus on recovery just as much as they do strength training and performance.
They understand that being an athlete is taxing on the body.
Creating an environment where muscles and joints can heal while reducing inflammation helps hockey players return to the ice with minimal aches and pains.
Recovery also reduces the incidence of soft tissue injuries, which can keep the most talented players out of commission.
Cold plunges and infrared saunas are gaining popularity for their recovery and anti-inflammatory benefits.
But if these are out of your budget, there are still some fantastic yet affordable recovery items you can gift the hockey player in your life.
5. Theragun Mini Massage Gun by Therabody
The bumps, bruises, and soreness that come with hockey are nothing to laugh at.
The knots and tightness that follow can limit your performance the next time on the ice.
Massage those sore muscles with Therabody’s Mini Massage Gun. The Theragun is 20% lighter and 30% smaller than most massage guns but still packs a punch.
The three speeds allow you to release the tension from achy muscles while gradually increasing the intensity for improved post-workout recovery.
The three interchangeable heads allow you to target large and small muscle groups with precision.
A gift that helps with recovery off the ice can translate to improved performances on the ice.
6. FitKing Air Compression Recovery Massage Boots
What if there was a way to apply the benefits of the Therabody massage gun to the lower body all at once?
Then, get these recovery massage boots.
Covering your entire lower limbs, these compression boots dispense dynamic pressure and massage features to the quads, hamstrings, calves and feet.
With intuitive controls and built-in pressure sensors, it’s a great way to reduce swelling, speed up recovery, and lower pain and soreness after spending hours on skates.
The hockey player in your life will thank you.
Fuel the Machine
Fuel is essential for maximum performance.
Some athletes need an insane amount of high-quality calories (we see you, JJ Watt) to maintain muscle mass while expending large amounts of energy during practice and games.
Others strive for micronutrients that help lower inflammation, increase endurance, and speed up recovery.
Adult hockey players can burn upwards of 5,000-6,000 calories daily between training sessions and competitive play.
One of the best gifts for hockey players is that of fuel to keep them going.
7. Feel Vegan Protein Bars – 10 Pack
Protein forms the building blocks of muscle, providing the essential amino acids needed for maintenance and growth.
Most athletes focus on high-protein diets, but as many can attest, it’s hard to reach those macros daily.
Having convenient protein-filled snacks can help hockey players hit calorie and protein goals.
Give the gift of some clean, vegan protein bars.
Feel protein bars contain complete proteins like hemp, pea, pumpkin, and chia seeds.
They get 15g of protein plus healthy carbs from dates, sunflower butter, and maca root for sustained energy.
Conclusion
Athletes are constantly striving to improve their games.
The right resources can boost performance from beginner to professional.
These gifts for hockey players are thoughtful, helping them in areas they may overlook.
From improving strength and skill to optimizing recovery and hydration, these gifts can make any special occasion more memorable.
At PolyGlide Synthetic Ice, we go beyond providing rinks and ice-skating products.
We believe in building the complete skater.
If these recommendations helped, consider reading some of our blogs on practice equipment tools, rinks, and much more.
Be a part of the journey to become the best player possible.